MESA, Ariz. — A mother and her boyfriend have been charged with murder and child abuse following the tragic death of a 22-month-old boy who sustained severe liquid burns. Authorities report that the child went without medical attention for several days before succumbing to infection and sepsis on April 12.
The case gained attention after an emergency call was made from a home near Mesa Drive and McKellips Road regarding a child who was unresponsive. First responders found the boy critically injured and rushed him to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Initial examinations revealed extensive burn injuries, prompting detectives to investigate the days leading up to the emergency call.
According to police, the burns were inflicted approximately nine days prior, likely from hot or boiling liquid poured over the child’s body. Investigators noted that an alarming 40% of the boy’s skin was burned. In a troubling twist, the child’s mother, Artnesia Aaliyah Baptist, 24, and her boyfriend, Alexsander Byrne, 21, reportedly treated the injuries at home, fearing involvement from child welfare authorities.
Witness statements indicated that Byrne observed large sections of skin peeling off the child during a diaper change. The couple allegedly concealed the injuries from the child’s biological father and even threatened him if he attempted to take the child before his death. Court documents also revealed that instead of seeking professional medical help, Baptist and Byrne opted for home remedies like burn cream and Tylenol.
As the child’s condition deteriorated, relatives expressed concern, but the couple misled them by claiming he had a cold. Investigators later found internet searches on Byrne’s devices related to burn treatments, indicating he was aware of the severity of the situation. The medical examiner ultimately linked the boy’s death to a severe infection, suggesting that the delay in treatment contributed significantly to his tragic decline.
The case has raised troubling questions about the previous interactions Baptist had with Arizona’s Department of Child Safety. Reports indicate there were two prior investigations involving claims of neglect and abuse regarding another child, although those allegations were deemed unsubstantiated by the agency. At the time of the assessments, the surviving children were found to be safe.
Following a recorded statement after his arrest, Byrne reportedly admitted to law enforcement that he withheld medical care out of fear that Child Protective Services would intervene. Both he and Baptist were arrested on May 26 and subsequently indicted on May 29, each facing charges of first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse. They are being held on a $1 million cash-only bond.
As the legal process unfolds, prosecutors aim to establish a timeline that highlights the couple’s decisions during the nine days leading up to the emergency call. The case reflects broader concerns about child safety, accountability, and the steps necessary to prevent such tragedies in the future. No trial date has been set, but the case remains under scrutiny as family members cope with the loss of the young boy, whose life was cut short under harrowing circumstances.