HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL – Melissa Barnes, a 22-year-old Florida woman, has been arrested and faces charges of child neglect and abuse. An initial report in January led to an investigation revealing that Barnes had allegedly given her 13-month-old daughter a bottle filled with bleach.
Barnes asserted that the bleach was employed for bottle cleansing purposes, stated the press release from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office issued on Tuesday, June 4. However, allegations raised by a family member who claimed that the mother and child resided in unhygienic circumstances in an electricity-deprived, cluttered shed painted a somber picture.
Upon extracting the toddler from the shed, the relative attempted to feed her but found the bottle allegedly filled with bleach. This discovery led to the immediate removal of the child by the Department of Children and Families, and she was placed under the care of a relative.
Results from the ensuing police investigation unveiled the presence of bleach-based disinfectants and paint in the searched shed. The FBI laboratory further confirmed the presence of chlorine-based bleach inside the bottle.
Sheriff Chad Chronister termed the case as deeply disconcerting, emphasizing the police’s firm commitment to protecting the community’s most vulnerable and holding offenders accountable.
Barnes was taken into custody by the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office on June 3, and awaits extradition while being held in the Highlands County jail. The investigation remains ongoing on the case.