One held without bail, another given bail, after four-year-old child suffered second, third degree burns in Seekonk

Two Seekonk women who were arrested Saturday night in connection to an incident that occurred at their home on October 8 where a four-year-old child suffered second and third degree burns over large portions of her body were arraigned Monday in Taunton District Court.

The victim’s aunt, 44-year-old Franzceska Gerome, was arrested by Seekonk Police and is charged with Reckless Endangerment of a Child, Assault and Battery on a Child with Substantial Injury, and Permitting Substantial Injury to a Child. She was ordered held without bail.

The victim’s mother, 38-year-old Guilene Gerome, was also arrested by Seekonk Police and is charged with Reckless Endangerment of a Child and Permitting Substantial Injury to a Child. She was held on $25,000 cash bail and is currently not allowed to have contact with her daughter.

According to Gregg Miliote of the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office, Seekonk Police responded to a residence on Oak Hill Avenue in Seekonk at approximately noon on October 9th for a report of a four-year-old girl with significant burns over large portions of her body. A subsequent investigation by Seekonk Police, Massachusetts State Troopers assigned to District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III’s office, and prosecutors, revealed that the victim sustained the life-threatening injuries about 17 hours before any law enforcement or medical professionals were contacted.

By the time the victim arrived at Hasbro Children’s Hospital, she was in critical condition. Her body was in shock due to the significant 2nd and 3rd degree burns that she was suffering from, and her organs were not functioning properly, which put her at risk of cardiac arrest. The victim has since been stabilized but remains hospitalized.

After a thorough investigation, which included interviews with the defendants and consultation with the medical professionals who continue to care for the victim, arrest warrants were applied for and issued on Thursday. The defendants were arrested Saturday night in Seekonk without incident.

According to ABC6, Franzceska told authorities the child fell into a fire pit. Prosecutors stated that Franzceska is a nurse and she said that she poured cold water on the child and didn’t see any physical marks on her. Guilene, the child’s mother, said in court that she noticed burns and blisters on her body when she arrived home from work that night.

The pair have a hearing set for December 12th.