Kentucky – In a shocking case in Kentucky, a 24-year-old mother, identified as B. Lair, and her 25-year-old boyfriend, identified as J. Sneed, were arrested and charged after an incident in which Lair’s 3-year-old son sustained severe injuries that required hospitalization while in Sneed’s care.
The police department was notified of the child’s condition after he was taken to a children’s hospital last week on Sunday. The medical staff determined that the injuries were consistent with being submerged in scalding liquid, which is supported by the child’s own account to investigators.
He allegedly told them that mom’s boyfriend “did this to my hands,” implying that Sneed deliberately immersed his hands in hot water.
According to police records, the boy was left alone with Sneed by his mother for about an hour on April 6, despite Child Protective Services’ instructions not to do so. The CPS had previously instructed Lair due to an ongoing investigation into another criminal abuse allegation against Sneed.
Following the incident, Lair allegedly put off seeking medical attention for her son for up to three hours. To make matters worse, she misled the medical staff about the cause of her son’s injuries. Charges were filed against her as a result of her deliberate misinformation and decision to leave her son in a potentially harmful situation.
Lair is charged with first-degree child abuse, and Sneed is charged with first-degree child abuse as well as an additional assault charge. Both pleaded not guilty during their arraignment. Sneed’s cash bond was set at $15,000, while Lair’s was at $10,000. The gravity of the allegations reflects the severe legal consequences for their actions.
The police affidavit emphasized the gravity of the situation: “The totality of the suspects’ intentional actions led to the victim, whom [Lair] has parental custody over, being placed in a situation in which he received serious physical injuries.”
According to local media, Lair worked as an instructional assistant in an elementary school. Her employment status is currently being reviewed due to the charges.
As the legal proceedings continue, Lair and Sneed remain detained at the Department of Corrections, awaiting further court action on April 15. The case has not only legal ramifications, but it also raises serious concerns about child safety and the mechanisms in place to protect the most vulnerable from those who should be protecting them the most.
This tragic incident emphasizes the critical need for vigilance and strict adherence to Child Protective Services guidelines, which are intended to prevent such grievous harm to children. The community and the victim’s family now face the difficult task of seeking justice while also assisting a young child in recovering from physical injuries and emotional trauma.
