A tween boy in Ohio has died after allegedly being forced to take multiple long ice baths. The baths were reportedly used as a form of punishment. Repeated exposure to the extremely cold water likely led to the boy’s core temperature dropping. And now, a man who lived in the home is being charged with the boy’s death.
As of right now, police are still investigating what exactly led to the boy’s death, but Anthony McCants, 23, is the only person of interest in the investigation.
Akron Police responded to a call for a cardiac arrest on Saturday, March 22, 2025, WKYC reported. Upon arrival, fire personnel found a child unresponsive. The child was immediately taken to Akron Children’s Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
According to police officials, a “preliminary investigation” determined foul play was involved.
The Summit County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the boy as 12-year-old Jadako Taylor, WJW reported. An autopsy has been performed, but the boy’s cause of death is still pending investigation.
A criminal complaint states that McCants forced the boy into two ice baths. One ice bath lasted 45 minutes, while the second lasted 30 minutes. Between stints in the bath, the boy was doing “push-ups and other physical activity.”
The complaint states that this began some time after 5 a.m. on Saturday. During the second round of “punishment,” which occurred around 2 p.m., Taylor began to “vomit and seize.” At the time of his death, Jadako Taylor’s internal temperature was 74 degrees.
Anthony McCants was arrested and charged with felony child endangering. Akron Police say the 23-year-old is known to Taylor’s family. WKYC reported McCants lived in the home with Taylor. According to the criminal complaint, Taylor was in McCants’ care on Saturday.
McCants has pleaded not guilty. His bond has been set at $500,000. Police are asking that anyone with additional information about what led to Jadako Taylor’s death call the Akron Police Department Detective Bureau at 330-375-2490.
If you suspect child abuse, you can call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453 (1-800-4-A-Child), or go to Childhelp.org. The hotline is available 24/7.
