Bronx Girl, 11, Burned With Boiling Water During Sleepover 'Traumatized,' Mother Says
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – The mother of an 11-year-old Bronx girl severely burned with boiling water during a sleepover says her daughter is "traumatized" by the incident.
Jamoneisha Merritt, who goes by Jamone, is in serious but stable condition Thursday. Police say she was at a sleepover early Monday at an apartment on Findlay Avenue when a 12-year-old girl poured a cup of boiling water on her as she slept.
"Her and her friend got into an argument, and she told her if she go to sleep, they were going to do something to her," the victim's cousin, Yolanda Richardson, told CBS2. "She said she was screaming, that she was burning."
Ebony Merritt spoke with CBS2's Dave Carlin on Thursday outside Harlem Hospital, taking a break from the long hours by her daughter's bedside. She said Jamoneisha is in for a long struggle with her excruciating burns.
Doctors say there will be permanent scars on her face, chest, shoulders and back. She was recently given a mirror.
"She saw her face, she's OK with it," Ebony said. "She's still traumatized."
CBS2 visited the apartment of Shernett Panton, identified as the mother of the girl police say is responsible, but no one answered the door. The girl has been charged with felony assault.
Some residents on Finley Avenue called it is a tragedy for two families, after hearing the 12-year-old is also in the hospital. She is undergoing a psychiatric evaluation at Bronx Lebanon Medical Center, Carlin reported.
"Something has to be able to be done, to be able to do what children do in the summer time -- is to have fun," Rev. Kevin McCall, of the National Action Network, said. "But under no circumstances – children shouldn't bully anyone."
"I just want justice for my daughter," Ebony said.
The mother said any adult who was in the home when the scalding took place should also be investigated for failing to do more to protect her daughter, who she said will continue to suffer all for attending a sleepover.
