A 4-year-old boy from Baltimore tragically died from injuries he sustained after he was given a burning hot bath. Malachi Lawson died in 2019, and his stepmother Shatika Lawson pleaded guilty on May 9 to child abuse that resulted in his death, reported People. The boy’s biological mother, Alicia Lawson, pleaded guilty in 2021, and received a life sentence and 30 years suspended, per CBS News.
The two women reportedly tried to hide the boy's death by reporting him missing and placing his body in a dumpster about 10 miles from home. Malachi’s stepmom, Shatika Lawson, will be sentenced on December 6 for child abuse resulting in his death.
More from CafeMom: Florida Parents Arrested in 'Worst Child Abuse' Case After Son Found Unconscious in Toilet
The couple did not take the 4-year-old to the hospital, but tried to treat him at home for nine days after the incident.
It was on July 23, 2019, that Alicia and Shatika reportedly gave Malachi a bath after he soiled himself, reported People. The women told police they washed his dirty clothes in the sink and then saw Malachi had severe burns on his body below the waist. Charging documents note the couple did not call for help due to "fear that the child would be taken from them, that they would get in trouble for what happened to the child and their past history with child protective services,” the outlet reported.
The women treated Malachi’s burns at home for over a week. Nine days after the bath incident Alicia, the boy’s biological mom, said she woke up and found her son unresponsive, reported CBS News.
The biological mom reported him missing and initially lied to authorities, saying her son was last seen at his grandmother's.
When Alicia found her son dead on August 1, she called a Lyft driver to take her to a dumpster 10 miles from her home, where she wrapped Malachi’s body in a blanket and placed him into a dumpster, reported People.
Malachi’s body was found the next day after Alicia reported him missing. She had initially told authorities the boy was last seen at his grandmother’s but later admitted to hiding his body in a dumpster.
More from CafeMom: Mom Arrested After Being Accused of Injecting Her Baby With Mystery Liquid
This devastating story highlights the serious issue of child abuse.
The upsetting story of Malachi Lawson’s death highlights the sad reality of how frequently child abuse occurs. One in seven children experienced child abuse or neglect in the past year in the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, though it is noted that many cases go unreported so this is likely an underestimated number. In 2020, the CDC says 1,750 children died of abuse and neglect in the US. Intervention is critical in these situations.
Social media users were appalled at these women’s horrifying actions.
People shared the story of Malachi’s death on Facebook and social media users were shocked and disgusted by the couple's inhumane actions. Some users thought the Lyft driver should also be charged in the case.
“In my opinion the Lyft driver who drove them to dispose of the body should also be charged," one user commented. "They had to be suspicious, two ladies calling from a ride to a dumpster with a child wrapped in a blanket. The driver should have reported it.”
“What the F— is going on with all these babies going through so much pain then dying," commented another person. "Don't people know what a gift they have been given. The honor to be a parent and they just don't care. Hopefully their punishment is the same if not worse then what they put that precious little angel through.”
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.
