Boy critical with hypothermia after he’s punished in cold bath tub

Thursday, Nov. 18, 1999 | 4:38 a.m.

The 5-year-old boy was reported in critical condition Thursday at Washoe Medical Center.

The woman, Melanie Boston, was arrested Wednesday afternoon and charged with child abuse causing substantial bodily harm.

Boston is the girlfriend of the boy's father, who was not at the Stead home at the time of the injuries, Deputy Police Chief Jim Weston said.

Doctors at Washoe Medical Center called police after the boy's father brought him to the emergency room, Weston said.

Boston allegedly punished the boy because he defecated in his pants. After he went into hypothermia, Boston allegedly placed him on his bed, still naked and cold, for further punishment, police said.

The boy passed out and fell off the bed onto another child, suffering further head and abdominal injuries. Police said the boy had to undergo emergency surgery.

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