Prosecution details 911 call after 4-year-old severely burned in Seekonk

Editor’s note: Discretion advised, as some may find the following story disturbing.

TAUNTON, Mass. (WLNE) — A mother and an aunt charged after a 4-year-old girl was severely burned in Seekonk were arraigned on Monday.

Franzceska and Guilene Gerome both faced a judge in Taunton District Court.

Franzceska, the child’s aunt, was ruled a danger and was ordered held without bail.

Prosecutors said she is dangerous and no conditions of release would be safe for the victim. She also faces a new charge of mayhem.

The judge ruled there was a substantial risk that Guilene could flee.

She was given a $25,000 cash bail on the condition that she surrenders her passport and has no contact with the child while the case is pending. The defense is trying to allow supervised visitation.

Reports from Massachusetts State Police, Seekonk police, and Dr. Heather Edwards at Hasbro Children’s Hospital were entered into evidence.

This is a photo of Franzceska Gerome, 44, in court after a four-year-old child sustained serious burns to large parts of her body. (WLNE)

Seekonk police received a 911 call on the morning of Oct. 10 from Franzceska.

She allegedly reported the child was burned at 7 p.m. the night before, about 17 hours earlier.

When police and paramedics responded to the Oak Hill Avenue residence around noon, they were immediately concerned and brought her to Hasbro Children’s Hospital.

Edwards said in court the child arrived with symptoms of shock, and was at risk of cardiac arrest due to untreated burn wounds.

She said the child was suffering severe pain from her injuries, including 2nd degree thermal and tissue burns on the right side of her face, both legs, forearm, upper neck and chest, as well as her shoulder and upper back.

This is a photo of Guilene Gerome, 38, appearing in court facing child endangerment charges after her daughter sustained severe burns over a large portion of her body. (WLNE)

Franzceska claimed the child was outside without a shirt on fell into a fire pit for approximately three seconds before she pulled her out.

She said she poured cold water on the child, and claimed she didn’t see any physical marks on her.

Guilene, the child’s mother, said in court that she noticed burns and blisters on her body when she arrived home from work that night.

She said she didn’t call 911 because Franzceska said the child wasn’t in pain.

Guilene allegedly called Franzceska the next morning to tell her the child’s condition had worsened. Franzceska said she left around 10 a.m. to purchase Pedialyte from a nearby CVS.

Prosecutors noted that Franzceska is a nurse, and therefore should have noticed the girl’s severe injuries.

Medical professionals said delays in care put the child’s life in jeopardy.

The child was stabilized, but remains in the hospital.

Both women have a hearing set for Dec. 12.