Sacramento Mother, Aunt Arrested For Not Treating Burned Child

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) - A South Sacramento boy was badly burned, and police say he didn't get the help he desperately needed until they stepped in a week later.

"I am blown away," said neighbor Karen Shirley.

Neighbors are shocked at what police say mother Stephanie Chapman and her sister, Yvonne did, or rather didn't do.

"I saw the pictures of the little boy and it was pretty heart wrenching," said Sacramento Police Sgt. Andrew Petit.

Police say somehow Stephanie's 5-year-old son got his hands on a lighter at their South Sacramento home and severely burned himself on nearly a quarter of his body. Police also say that the child was then left to suffer for a week with third degree burns and no medical attention until a police tip led to the boy.

"The injuries were just so severe that it would shock the conscious if you were to see them," said Petit.

So, why wouldn't a mother take her boy to the hospital?

A search of court records show Stephanie was charged with child endangerment in 2009 when one of her children tested positive for methamphetamine. The case would eventually be dropped, and it's unclear why that 2009 case was dropped.

"I don't know how that could have happened," said Shirley.

Shirley lives just across the street and her children play with Stephanie's.

"I've never seen them beat them up. I've never seen them abuse them, nothing like that," said Shirley. "They discipline them in a manner that's right."

"The true question is why they didn't get the child the treatment that he needed immediately," said Petit.

The child was taken to the hospital, where it is believed he still remains. He received at least one skin graft, police say.

Stephanie did not want to speak to media.