A 5-year-old Homosassa boy who was allegedly tortured by his stepfather and wasn't helped by his mother is still hospitalized in serious condition.
The child suffered
first-, second- and third-degree burns in his groin area and on his genitals after his stepfather,
Aaron Lee Potts, allegedly
twice placed him in a tub, sprayed him with scalding hot water and then
applied peroxide and rubbing alcohol to the burns.
A family friend took the boy to a local hospital on Sunday, and the injuries were so severe, the child was transferred to an Alachua County hospital. Potts and his wife,
Alexza Marisol Potts, who is the boy's mother, were arrested shortly thereafter.
[...]
Citrus County Sheriff's Office officials said Thursday three other children in the home have been removed and taken someplace safe. They said the couple had been suspected of abuse previously, but no arrests had been made.
[...]
The neighbor said she saw the boy after the alleged abuse took place and wishes she had taken him from the home when she had the chance.
"That had to be very painful," the neighbor said of the child's injuries.
"The child was void of emotion. He had saucer eyes. He didn't blink; he just stood there."
She added, "I should have scooped him up right there, whether he let me or not."
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