A Florida woman has been arrested on charges of child abuse and child neglect after police received a report in January alleging she had given her 13-month-old daughter a bottle containing bleach.
Melissa Barnes, 22, claimed at the time that she used bleach to rinse the bottle, according to a press release from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday, June 4.
The relative who reported the incident stated that Barnes and her daughter were living in a “cold, cluttered, and unsanitary” shed without electricity. When the relative tried to feed the toddler after removing her from the shed, they discovered that the bottle contained bleach.
Following the report, police launched an investigation, and the Department of Children and Families immediately removed the child from Barnes’ custody and placed her with a relative.
During their search of the shed, detectives found “bleach-based disinfectant and paint,” and an FBI laboratory confirmed the presence of “chlorine-based bleach” in the bottle.
“This case is deeply disturbing. No child deserves to be subjected to such dangerous and neglectful conditions,” stated Sheriff Chad Chronister. “The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is committed to protecting our community’s most vulnerable, and we will work tirelessly to ensure that those who harm children are held accountable.”
Barnes was arrested by the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday, June 3, after warrants were issued for her arrest. She is currently in jail in Highlands County and will be extradited at a later date.
The investigation is ongoing.
If you suspect child abuse, contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or visit www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential, with services available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.