Babysitter Charged After 6-Year-Old Boy Burned While Home Alone
LAUDERHILL (CBSMiami) – A Lauderhill woman who babysits her 6-year-old brother after school has been charged with child neglect after the boy was hospitalized for second-degree burns Thursday night.
According to Lauderhill police Lt. Michael Butkus, the boy identified by his uncle as Casey Beaubriant, was supposed to be with his sister, Samantha Beaubriant Thursday.
Casey's uncle told CBS4 that his nephew would come to the floor below his apartment to his sister's place every day after school care. But police said that didn't happen Thursday.
Police said when Casey arrived at Samantha's apartment, the door was locked so he went back home.
"At some point he goes inside, nobody's home there as well. He somehow gets hold of either matches or a lighter and accidentally burns himself," said Lt. Butkus.
Casey's uncle said he used matches at his home at 4222 Inverrary Blvd.
A neighbor called 911 for help when the boy was discovered.
"He's really in a lot of pain and he's hurt," the neighbor said. "I just found him in the building and I can't get in touch with his parents."
Neil Oliveira does maintenance in the apartment building and said he saw Casey wandering the hallways screaming.
"I went over there looking for his uncle, his mother, his sister, and found nobody," Oliveira said. "First thing that came to my head was call 911."
The boy was taken to Broward Health later that evening where he was treated and released.
The mistake police say Samantha made may lead to prison time.
"She had some other plans and some other responsibilities to take care of," said Lt. Butkus. "However, did not take away the responsibility of the child which should have been her number one priority."
Authorities continue to investigate the incident along with the Department of Children and Families.
