4-Year-Old Boy Dies After Step-mum Dipped Him In Boiling Hot Water 'As A Punishment'

Anne Ritchie, 25 has been arrested after little Austin Cooper died the day after suffering third degree burns. His step-mother shoved his legs in boiling hot water as a punishment for misbehaving, police said.

Austin Cooper, four, who suffered third-degree burns, was found by his father lying lifeless in his bed the following morning.

Little Austin was rushed to Atrium Medical Center, in Franklin Ohio, where he was pronounced dead at 10 am on Wednesday, according to Warren County coroner’s investigator Doyle Burke.

Anna Ritchie, 25, was arrested after reportedly admitted to officers she had put her step-son's legs into the scalding water as a form of punishment.

According to a 911 call reported by WHIO , Austin's father told police: "He got into a hot bath last night with my wife and she thought he’d be ok. I think my son died.”

Mr Burke confirmed Austin died from burn injuries he sustained after his legs were put in “scalding hot water.”

Ritchie has been charged with child endangerment and is being held in the Warren County Jail.

She is likely to face more charges later today, US media reports.

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