2 Seekonk women arrested after child suffers serious burns

SEEKONK, Mass. (WLNE) — The Bristol District Attorney’s Office said that two Seekonk women were arrested after an Oct. 8 incident in which a child “suffered second- and third-degree burns over large portions of her body.”

Dristrict Attorney’s Office spokesperson Gregg Miliote said 44-year-old Franzceska Gerome, the victim’s aunt, and 38-year-old Guilene Gerome, the victim’s mother, were both arrested by Seekonk police Saturday.

Both women were charged with reckless endangerment of a child and permitting substantial injury to a child, while Franzceska was also charged with assault and battery on a child with substantial injury.

Miliote said police responded to a residence on Oak Hill Avenue on Oct. 9 for reports of a child with severe burns on her body.

After an investigation, it was learned that the burns occurred 17 hours before emergency responders were called.

The victim was transported to Hasbro Children’s Hospital in critical condition due to the burns, and her organs were not functioning properly and was at risk of cardiac arrest.

Miliote said the child has since been stabilized but is still in the hospital.

The two suspects will be arraigned on Monday.