A woman in Tennessee was found guilty after authorities accused her of using scalding water to burn her 6-year-old son’s head and leaving him outside in the cold as a punishment.
The Shelby County District Attorney’s Office announced on Tuesday, September 8, that the jury found Jasmine Irby guilty on Friday, September 4, after she was charged with aggravated child abuse and aggravated child neglect.
The trial lasted about one week, and the jury did not waste time. They deliberated for roughly an hour before they came to the verdict.
Prosecutors said that Irby, 31, was arrested following the incident that took place in late 2023, according to WMC.
The District Attorney’s office said that Irby “used hot water as punishment” on her son, which made him suffer second-degree burns on his hand and head. “Evidence showed the child was also made to stand outside in the cold wearing only pajamas,” the office added in the statement.
Irby was booked in the Shelby County Jail on May 17, 2024, and was held on a $300,000 bond, according to jail and court records. She was indicted on the charges by a grand jury four months later on September 24, 2024.
Throughout the trial, Irby reportedly testified that she “only” burned her son’s hand during the incident. However, prosecutors said that the evidence of injuries to both his hand and head contradicted her claim.
Irby also reportedly did not show any apparent remorse about her actions, according to WMC.
The DA’s office said that prosecutors used recorded jail calls in order to prove that Irby was guilty of the assault. However, it’s not clear what exact evidence those calls revealed.
She is scheduled to be sentenced during an upcoming hearing on October 29. Irby will remain in custody until her sentence is determined.
It is not currently clear who has custody of the child following Irby’s arrest. The health status of the child was also not revealed after he sustained the injuries.
After the District Attorney’s office shared the verdict, social media users reacted to the Facebook post and wished the child well. “That child was innocent. I hope he is in a loving home now. No child deserves this,” one person wrote. Another added, “That innocent child was burned by his own mother, put outside in the cold (we all know it’s not cold right now) How long before this child receives JUSTICE ???? There’s no telling what else she did to him as ‘punishment’ Bless that little boy.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing child abuse, call or text Child Help Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.
