Stepmom abused 6-year-old boy until he died, Wisconsin officials say
.png "Zane McAttee-Adams died after officials say he was physically abused by his stepmother in Wisconsin.")
A Wisconsin woman was arrested after officials say she physically abused her 6-year-old stepson until he died, news outlets report.
Anitra Burks is charged with first-degree intentional homicide and neglecting a child, according to court records.
McClatchy News reached out to Burks’ attorney on July 28 for comment but did not immediately hear back.
On July 21, Burks took 6-year-old Zane McAttee-Adams to a Milwaukee hospital after he was complaining that his stomach hurt, according to court records, WDJT reported.
Surveillance video showed Zane struggling to walk and collapsing while entering the hospital, the news outlet reported. Then, Burks is seen pulling him up and holding him by his sweatshirt.
While at the hospital, doctors said Zane had “extensive bruising,” a black eye and cuts on his body, WITI reported.
While being treated, he became “pulseless” and medical staff spent 50 minutes working to resuscitate him, the news outlet reported. Zane was taken to a children’s hospital, where he later died.
Zane underwent emergency abdominal surgery after arriving at the hospital, WTMJ reported.
“She had my baby in a whole horror story. She is a monster,” Zane’s grandmother Yvette Adams told WITI. “She ripped my heart away. I’m hurt deep in my soul.”
An autopsy showed that Zane had “extensive blunt force injuries” and a broken rib, according to WITI. His cause of death was ruled homicide from “complications from multiple blunt force injuries.”
Officials said bruises found on the child’s legs and chest seemed to match the hole pattern on crutches used by Burks, WDJT reported.
Burks had been Zane’s primary caretaker since his father was convicted of offenses in March, WISN reported. She told investigators that Zane had “behavior issues” and would scratch, pinch and injure himself at times.
Doctors diagnosed Zane with “inflicted trauma and child physical abuse,” according to the complaint, WISN reported.
“I feel disgusted with everything that I read today, I feel hurt. I feel like I wish I could have been there,” Marie Shaw, who previously dated Zane’s father and lived with him, told WDJT.
Burks was given a $250,000 bond and is due back in court in August.
This story was originally published July 28, 2024 at 11:56 AM with the headline "Stepmom abused 6-year-old boy until he died, Wisconsin officials say."
