One arrested after photos of abused, burned 3-year-old found online

Published 9:08 pm Friday, August 17, 2018

A 3-year-old boy is hospitalized in Birmingham after police say the boy was beaten and burned by his mother’s boyfriend after accidentally using the bathroom on himself.

Rakeem J. Harris, 29, was charged with aggravated child abuse and second-degree assault, and was held on a $100,000 bond, according to Selma Police Chief Spencer Collier.

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He was arrested on Thursday.

Harris made bond, according to arrest reports.

The boy’s mother told police that the beating happened on Wednesday, but reports indicate that the injuries actually happened on Tuesday, and the child had not received medical treatment until Thursday, according to Collier.

Police say that Harris turned himself into police after learning they wanted to speak to him.

“Harris admitted to beating the boy but not burning him,” said Collier.

The investigation is ongoing, and more charges could be made, according to police.