1-year-old severely burned by scalding bathwater at babysitter’s house, NC cops say

A babysitter has been charged with felony child abuse after investigators determined a toddler in her care was severely burned while taking a bath, according to North Carolina investigators.

The incident happened Saturday, March 1, at a home in High Point, about an 80-mile drive northeast from Charlotte.

“Officers ... were called to an area children’s hospital for a possible child abuse case. Officers learned a toddler was brought in with severe burns on his hands and feet,” the High Point Police Department said in a March 20 news release.

“A detective with the High Point Police Department’s Special Victims Unit (SVU) spoke to several people and learned the toddler, a 1-year-old boy, was injured while taking a bath at a babysitter’s home.”

Amesha Johnson, 40, was arrested March 20 and charged with felony child abuse, police said. Bond was set at $25,000, officials said.

Details of the child’s condition have not been released.

Hot water-related deaths and injuries typically involve seniors and children under 5, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports. It’s recommended water heater temperatures stay below 120 degrees Fahrenheit, experts say.

“Even if the temperature is 120 degrees, a five minute exposure could result in third-degree burns,” the commission says.

“Most adults will suffer third-degree burns if exposed to 150-degree water for two seconds. Burns will also occur with a six-second exposure to 140-degree water or with a thirty second exposure to 130-degree water.”

This story was originally published March 21, 2025 at 7:46 AM with the headline "1-year-old severely burned by scalding bathwater at babysitter’s house, NC cops say."