A 38-year-old woman faces several charges after she allegedly burned a young boy who ended up having cocaine in his system.
Durham County Jail records show Natoyia Danielle Barbee was booked into custody July 5 on four counts of conspiracy, four counts of larceny, one count of child abuse, one count of communicating threats, and one count of negligent child abuse causing serious bodily injury.
According to WNCN-TV, Durham Police responded to Barbee’s residence on Wabash Street for a child abuse call. When they arrived, officers reportedly located the 2-year-old boy with burns on his body, as well as three other children in the home. They were reportedly left unattended.
WNCN reports EMS noted some of the boy’s burns were healing. A 4-year-old child in the home told police the 2-year-old had been burned with fire. Barbee had been watching the children while their mother was out of town.
Barbee reportedly said the little boy’s injuries occurred over the July 4 weekend, according to WRAL-TV. Barbee allegedly tried fixing the wounds with a spray bottle because she was too afraid to take him to the hospital.
EMS officials transported the boy to Duke Hospital, where he underwent surgery. Doctors also reportedly found cocaine in his system.
WNCN, citing the arrest warrant, said Barbee had a “reckless disregard for human life.”
According to WTVD-TV, Barbee was arrested in 2019 for allegedly stabbing an officer outside a local Macy’s.
Court records show Barbee is scheduled back in court July 27. Her bond is set at $250,000.