Two young parents are under arrest after their 4-month-old baby girl was found with severe scalding injuries.
According to Akron Police Captain Dan Zampelli, the scalding happened at an apartment on Byers Avenue around 11 p.m. Thursday.
The police report stated the 20-year-old mother, Chavelle Grier, and 17-year-old father, Demetrius Ford, were home when EMS arrived and found the baby crying on a towel. Paramedics notified police after realizing the seriousness of her injuries.
According to the police report, Ford told an officer, "I left her in the shower."
She was taken to Akron Children's Hospital for treatment of third-degree burns to her face, chest and arms.
During a 911 call, Grier told an operator that her daughter's face was burned by a lighter.
The operator asked, "How does a 5-month-old child get burned on the face with a lighter?"
"I don't know. I don't know how it happened," Grier responded.
Zampelli said detectives continue to investigate the conflicting stories.
"Certainly our heart goes out to the 4-month-old and we certainly hope that this child turns out to be okay, but being a 4-month-old, what a tough start in life," Zampelli said.
Both parents were arrested and charged with felonious assault, felony child endangering and domestic violence.
Grier's bond was set at $50,000 in Akron Municipal Court. She's being held in the Summit County Jail.
Ford is being held in the Summit County Juvenile Detention Center.
Summit County Children Services plans to file for custody of the baby and will place her with an appropriate relative or foster home.
