A Florida woman has been arrested after she allegedly gave a relative a baby bottle of bleach to feed her 13-month-old daughter.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said it began a lengthy investigation on January 2 when the relative reported the incident.
The relative found 22-year-old Melissa Barnes and the baby living in a shed with no electricity, describing the environment as “cold, cluttered, and unsanitary.” The relative said they tried to feed the baby girl, but she refused the bottle. That’s when the relative discovered it contained bleach.
Barnes reportedly said she used bleach to clean the bottle.
The Florida Department of Children and Families “immediately” took the child from her mother and put her with a relative. Investigators executing a search warrant found bleach-based disinfectant and paint and sent the contents of the baby bottle to the FBI’s lab for analysis. The lab confirmed the presence of chlorine-based bleach.
Detectives obtained warrants for Barnes’ arrest on May 28, charging her with child abuse and child neglect. She was taken into custody on Tuesday in Highlands County in central Florida.
“This case is deeply disturbing. No child deserves to be subjected to such dangerous and neglectful conditions,” said Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister. “The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is committed to protecting our community’s most vulnerable, and we will work tirelessly to ensure that those who harm children are held accountable.”
The sheriff’s office said Barnes is currently being held in Highlands County and will be returned later to Hillsborough County.
