Inset, from left: Courtney N. Heath and Payton M. Beaver (WCIA). Background: The Illinois residence where authorities found the toddler shortly before her death (Google Maps).
An Illinois father and babysitter are accused of failing to protect a 23-month-old girl who died from infected thermal burns. Investigators found hair believed to belong to the toddler inside an oven door at the home where she was allegedly injured.
Babysitter Courtney N. Heath and the girl’s father, Payton M. Beaver, have each been charged with first-degree murder and child endangerment causing death.
The Paris Police Department said in a press release that police officers, firefighters and emergency medical crews went to a residence in the 200 block of West Edgar Street on Sept. 21 after receiving a 911 call about a juvenile having seizures. The girl was taken by ambulance to Horizon Health Paris Community Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 7:42 p.m.
The Edgar County Coroner’s Office released its final autopsy findings on Oct. 22. The report listed the cause of death as “sepsis due to scalding thermal burns” and classified the death as a homicide.
Authorities have not released the child’s name. Court records identify her by the initials “Z.B.”
Charging documents allege that Heath “allowed” the girl to sustain the fatal burns, while Beaver “was aware” of her injuries and waited roughly 32 hours before seeking medical help. By then, the toddler was beyond medical rescue, Champaign, Illinois-based CBS affiliate WCIA reported.
The allegations are outlined in a probable cause affidavit obtained by WTWO, an NBC affiliate based in Terre Haute, Indiana.
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According to the affidavit, Heath told investigators that the child was burned by hot water in a shower. However, the emergency room doctor reportedly determined that “the injuries Z.B. sustained were not consistent with a water or shower burn.” Investigators also found hairs matching the toddler’s hair “inside an oven door with follicles attached.”
Heath allegedly applied aloe vera gel to the burns, which continued to deteriorate while the child was in her care. She reportedly kept the toddler overnight and returned her to Beaver at 4:30 a.m. on Sept. 21.
Police said Beaver cared for the girl until 5:30 p.m. He allegedly observed her injuries but chose not to get medical assistance because he feared he could be arrested.
“He admitted seeing the injuries and treating them with triple antibiotic ointment but did not intend to seek medical care, due to being too concerned about being arrested,” investigators wrote.
Later that day, Heath purchased burn gel and gauze from Dollar General, picked up the child from Beaver and brought her to Heath’s residence to treat her wounds, according to the affidavit. Heath said the toddler soon became limp and began having seizures. She contacted Beaver and then called 911 at 6:59 p.m.
“During his interview, Payton [Beaver] admitted that he knew Z.B. needed to be [seen] by a doctor, but refused to seek medical attention due to his own concern of being arrested,” the affidavit states.
Heath and Beaver remain jailed in the Edgar County Jail without bond. Their next court appearance is scheduled for Nov. 20.
The post Dad, babysitter fatally burned toddler whose hair was found ‘inside an oven door’ in the home: Police first appeared on Law & Crime.
