Authorities say 4-year-old boy died after stepmother put him in scalding water

Updated
Authorities Say 4-Year-Old Boy Died After Stepmother Put Him In Scalding Water
Authorities Say 4-Year-Old Boy Died After Stepmother Put Him In Scalding Water

A woman in Franklin, Ohio, has been arrested in connection to the death of her 4-year-old stepson, reports CBS News.

The boy's passing came to the attention of Franklin police on Wednesday morning when the father called for help as the child wasn't breathing.

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Authorities say the likely cause of death was a physical punishment delivered by the stepmother, 25-year-old Anna Ritchie, the night before.

See more from the case below:

She had reportedly submerged the boy's legs in scalding water then sent him to bed.

It remains unclear if the father was involved in or even knew about the punishment that evening, but, regardless, the child was allegedly not checked on throughout the night.

Ritchie has already been charged with endangering children.

The investigation is ongoing, so more charges may be coming.

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