Mother, aunt arrested after child severely burned in Seekonk to appear in court

SEEKONK, Mass. (WLNE) — A mother and an aunt of a young child hospitalized with severe burns will appear in court Monday.

Guilene Gerome, 38, and Franzceska Gerome, 44, will be arraigned in Taunton District Court.

The Bristol County District Attorney’s Office said Seekonk police were called to an Oak Hill Avenue residence around noon on Monday, Oct. 9 for a report of a 4-year-old girl with significant burns over large portions of her body.

An investigation led by Seekonk police, Massachusetts State Police, and troopers assigned to the district attorney determined the victim was hurt about 17 hours before help was called.

The child arrived at Hasbro Children’s Hospital in critical condition.

The district attorney said she was in shock due to the trauma and her organs were not functioning properly, putting her at risk of cardiac arrest.

She was stabilized, but remains in the hospital.

Investigators obtained arrest warrants after speaking with the medical professionals who continue to care for the child.

Guilene and Franzeska were arrested over the weekend.

They were charged with reckless endangerment of a child and permitting substantial injury to a child.

Franzceska was additionally charged with assault and battery on a child with substantial injury.