Mother Refused To Get Help For Dying Toddler: Police

HOMESTEAD, FL — Christina Marie Hurt told Miami-Dade police that she left her three young children unattended on Wednesday evening when she took out the trash. By the time the 35-year-old waitress returned, she found her one-year-old son screaming in the arms of her 10-year-0ld daughter. While her mother was gone, the little girl attempted to bathe her baby brother with the help of a four-year-old who made the water "extremely hot," so much s0 that the skin on the toddler's body began to burn and peel.

But rather than calling for help, Hurt sought home remedies as her child's health deteriorated until he slipped away a day later, according to court documents.

Hurt is now facing a charge of aggravated manslaughter and her family will never be the same.

"Officers, along with Miami-Dade Fire Rescue personnel arrived to the scene and the baby boy was pronounced deceased," explained Detective Alvaro Zabaleta of the Miami-Dade Police Department. The child died at 11:14 a.m. at a friend's house in the 12200 block of SW 217 Street.

Court documents said that Hurt had previously lost custody of her children for child neglect.

"She did not seek medical attention for the victim due to her fear of losing custody of her children," according to court documents. Instead she gave the child Tylenol and juice and then went to sleep on Wednesday, the documents added.

On Thursday, the day the child died, Hurt allegedly took the toddler to a friend's house while her other children were at school. Court documents said she even passed by Homestead Hospital at one point but never stopped.

"The defendant showed her friend the victim's injuries at which time the defendant once again expressed her concern with seeking medical attention for the victim," according to court documents, which said that Hurt decided to try another home remedy.

"Approximately one hour later, the victim became unresponsive, at which time he was taken outside of the residence and placed on a mattress, located in the front yard," court documents said.

It was there that the child was spotted by an unidentified woman who called 9-1-1.

Witnesses told police that Hurt "adamantly refused" to get medical help for her child even when he appeared lethargic and exhibited shallow breathing.

To report a tip, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS (8477) or 866-471-8477, visit crimestoppersmiami.com and select "Give a Tip" or text "CSMD" followed by the tip to 274637.

Photo of Christina Marie Hurt courtesy Miami-Dade Police Department