Two from Bristol County arrested after four-year-old child suffered second and third degree burns over most of her body

Two Seekonk women 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.

According to Gregg Miliote of the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office, 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.

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.

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 and will be arraigned in Taunton District Court Monday morning.

Miliote stated that more information on the facts of the case or the evidence obtained during the investigation cannot be disseminated until the defendants are arraigned tomorrow in open court.