Couple arrested after baby severely burned, injected with meth, Sheriff Salazar says
Couple arrested after baby severely burned, injected with meth, Sheriff Salazar says KSAT San Antonio
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SAN ANTONIO: Child Abuse Case Highlights Urgent Need for Sustainable Development Goals
Introduction
In a shocking incident of child abuse, a woman and man have been arrested in San Antonio after their 1-year-old girl suffered severe burns and tested positive for methamphetamine. The case has shed light on the urgent need to address the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to child protection and well-being.
The Arrest
Amanda Mann, 31, and Dustin Lawrence, 30, have been charged with multiple offenses, including endangering a child and abandoning/endangering a child with intent. The Bexar County Jail records indicate that their bonds have been set at $450,000 each.
The Incident
According to BCSO Sheriff Javier Salazar, the authorities were alerted to the case when the 1-year-old, who was severely underweight at only 18 pounds, was taken to the hospital. The child had suffered burns on her face and body, which were caused by either spilled boiling liquid or intentional pouring of hot liquid. The parents initially claimed that the burns occurred in the shower but later admitted that boiling water from a pot caused the injuries.
Negligence and Abuse
Sheriff Salazar revealed that the parents chose not to seek medical care for their child and instead treated her burns with ointment. Shockingly, they injected her with methamphetamine to alleviate the pain. The following day, when the parents removed the sheets from the baby, her skin fell off. It is unclear whether the child lost consciousness at any point, but the parents attempted chest compressions.
Delayed Medical Attention
Mann and Lawrence sought help from a family friend, who advised taking the baby to the hospital. However, they waited for more than 24 hours before seeking medical attention. After taking the baby to the hospital, Mann left, prompting BCSO to ask for public assistance in locating her. Both Mann and Lawrence were subsequently apprehended.
Living Conditions and Other Children
During the investigation, deputies discovered several other children living in a small, unsanitary RV. The children included 2-month-old twins, a 2-year-old, a 6-year-old, and an 8-year-old. Mann had given birth to the twins at home, and they had never received medical care. One of the children also tested positive for methamphetamine.
Urgent Need for Action
Sheriff Salazar described the case as “infuriating” and emphasized the need for justice. He highlighted the importance of addressing the SDGs, particularly those related to child protection and well-being. The children involved in this case have been placed under the care of Child Protective Services.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | 3.1: By 2030, reduce the global maternal mortality ratio | – |
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | 3.2: By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age | – |
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | 3.3: By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases, and other communicable diseases | – |
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being | – |
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | 3.5: Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol | – |
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | 3.6: By 2020, halve the number of global deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents | – |
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | 3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information, and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programs | – |
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services, and access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all | – |
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination | – |
| SDG 4: Quality Education | 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes | – |
| SDG 4: Quality Education | 4.2: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care, and pre-primary education so that they are ready for primary education | – |
| SDG 4: Quality Education | 4.3: By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational, and tertiary education, including university | – |
| SDG 4: Quality Education | 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs, and entrepreneurship | – |
| SDG 4: Quality Education | 4.5: By 2030, eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples, and children in vulnerable situations | – |
| SDG 4: Quality Education | 4.6: By 2030, ensure that all youth and a substantial proportion of adults, both men and women, achieve literacy and numeracy | – |
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere | – |
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation | – |
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | 5.3: Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early, and forced marriage and female genital mutilation | – |
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | 5.4: Recognize and value unpaid care and domestic work through the provision of public services, infrastructure, and social protection policies and the promotion of shared responsibility within the household and the family as nationally appropriate | – |
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic, and public life | – |
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | 5.6: Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights as agreed in accordance with the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development and the Beijing Platform for Action and the outcome documents of their review conferences | – |
