Parents Charged for Failing to Get Medical Attention for Girl , 5, Burned in Fire

HIGHLAND PARK, MI — The parents of a 5-year-old girl who received severe third-degree burns after her sweater caught fire have been charged with second-degree child abuse after they failed to seek appropriate medical care for their daughter, Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said Wednesday

The parents, Lenard Smith, 36, and Evette Latice Walker, 31, could go to prison for up to 10 years if convicted of the the charges.

The girl was injured sometime around 1 a.m. on Friday, Dec 9, while playing with a cigarette lighter at the family home on Puritan Avenue in Highland Park. The girl’s parents, who were among four adults present at the home at the time, treated her injuries with petroleum jelly and tissue rather than call 911, Highland Park police said earlier this week.

A non-family member tipped off authorities about the girl’s injuries Sunday when she complained of severe pain, Highland Park Police Detective Brian Menge told Patch earlier this week. She sustained third-degree burns on her on her chest, arms and back and was treated for infection.She is recovering at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital at the University of Michigan.

• Girl, 5, Burned After Sweater Ignites; Parents Didn’t Call 911: Police

Smith and Walker were arraigned Wednesday in 30th District Court. Judge Bridget Officer set Smith’s bond at $150,000 cash/surety and Walker’s bond at $100,000 cash/surety.

Both defendants were ordered to have no contact with children or anyone under the age of 17, and their probable cause conference is at 9 a.m. on Dec. 20.

Child Protective Services of Michigan has taken custody of the 5-year-old’s siblings.

Photo via Shutterstock