MILWAUKEE — A 33-year-old woman is facing multiple criminal charges in connection to the death of a 6-year-old child, Zane McAtee Adams, and investigators say child abuse was the cause of death.
Milwaukee Police reported they were investigating a child abuse incident that occurred near 103rd Avenue and Mill Street on Sunday, July 21. The child was taken to the hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
A 33-year-old Milwaukee woman identified as Anitra Burks was arrested in connection with the incident.
The boy’s father was convicted of two crimes and is in custody awaiting sentencing, authorities said. Burks was Adams’ primary caretaker, according to the complaint.
Marie Shaw was the former girlfriend of Zayn’s father. “He was very charming and very goofy,” she said.
They lived together and Shaw grew to care for and love Zayn.
She said: “He was so easy to love, and it was easy for him to love himself.”
According to the lawsuit, on July 21, Adams reported having stomach pains and was drinking large amounts of water. Adams allegedly vomited multiple times.
Burks reportedly called a nurse at St. Joseph’s Hospital and asked if she should bring Adams in. The nurse advised Burks to bring the child in for medical attention, according to the complaint.
Burks took Adams to St. Joseph’s Hospital, where security footage showed Adams barely able to walk. According to reports, the footage shows Adams collapse upon entering the hospital, and Burks can be seen tugging on his arm to help him up and grabbing him by his sweatshirt for support.
Adams died at the hospital from his injuries. The manner of death was ruled a homicide as Adams had multiple blunt force trauma and visible bruising to his face, arms and legs.
Adams’ autopsy revealed multiple injuries consistent with blunt force trauma. During the autopsy, police provided Burks with the crutches she had been using to compare the puncture pattern on them to the bruises on Adams’ legs and chest. Authorities said the puncture pattern appeared to be consistent with the bruises on Adams’ legs and chest.
That’s hard for Marie Shaw to hear.
“I’m disgusted and heartbroken by everything I’ve read today and I wish I could have been there,” Shaw said.
She added: “My younger son is quite upset and devastated by the situation because it was the same with his other brother. He was closer to Zayn than he was to my older son.”
Investigators determined Adams suffered internal injuries to his small intestine, typically caused by severe localized blunt trauma to the abdomen. If left untreated, the contents of the intestine can leak into the abdominal cavity, causing pain, shock and potentially death.
During her initial interview with Burks, Adams reportedly told investigators the child had “behavioral issues.” Burks reportedly said Adams would hurt himself by scratching and pinching him when he didn’t get what he wanted. Burks also reportedly said Adams would climb dressers and cabinets in the home, causing the injuries.
This isn’t the first time Burks has been in trouble. Authorities say Burks was convicted of child abuse in 2013. According to the complaint, Burks was caring for her then-boyfriend’s 10-month-old child when the child was burned by running water. The burns were so severe that the child will likely be permanently scarred, according to the complaint.
Burks is charged with first-degree intentional homicide and child abuse resulting in death in the case.
Burks is scheduled to make his first court appearance on July 26.
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