San Francisco mother convicted of mayhem after 2-year-old suffers severe burns
SAN FRANCISCO - A San Francisco mother was convicted of mayhem and child endangerment for failing to get medical treatment for her daughter, who suffered third-degree burns over half of her body.
A jury found 29-year-old Reneisha Devore guilty of the charges, along with the girl's babysitter, 42-year-old Diana Washington, convicted of child endangerment, the only charge she faced.
"My office will always do everything we can to protect children and hold those who harm them accountable. This case was horrific, and we pray for the victim’s continued healing and progress," District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said.
On July 25, 2023, the 2-year-old victim was brought to UCSF Children’s Hospital Mission Bay with second and third-degree burns over 50% of her body.
Doctors determined the girl's wounds were not acute but days old. Due to the severity of the girl's injuries, she was transferred to Saint Francis Memorial Hospital Bothin Burn Center for specialized treatment, where she remained for two months as she underwent multiple surgeries, debridement, and skin grafts that were necessary, in large part, because of the delay in care, prosecutors said.
While at the burn center, doctors determined the victim's injuries were older than originally believed. The girl's burn wounds were seven to 10 days old, and others were more than two weeks old.
The delay in care resulted in the wounds converting from second to third-degree burns. The wounds resulted in the girl's permanent disfigurement, prosecutors said.
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Authorities said the victim's mother was aware of her daughter's injuries and did nothing to help her. They also said the girl's babysitter knew and did nothing to help.
"The conduct in this case was particularly deplorable and heinous, not just because of the injuries, but because it was an act committed by a mother against her child," Assistant District Attorney Melissa Demetral said.
Devore and Washington are both in custody.
Their sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 4, 2025.
The Source: Information for this story comes from the San Francisco District Attorney's Office.