TAMPA, FL – A 22-year-old mother was arrested Monday after authorities allege she fed her 13-month-old baby bleach in a bottle. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office reported that Melissa Barnes faces charges of child abuse and child neglect, stemming from incidents that date back to January.
On January 2, 2024, a relative of Barnes contacted the sheriff’s office, claiming that Barnes had given her infant daughter a bottle containing bleach. The relative described the living conditions as dire, noting that Barnes and her child were residing in a shed without electricity, which was cold, cluttered, and unsanitary.
According to the sheriff’s office, the relative attempted to feed the baby the bottle, but the child refused to drink from it. Upon inspection, the relative discovered that the bottle contained bleach. When questioned, Barnes stated that she had used bleach to rinse the bottle.
Following a thorough investigation by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit, the Department of Children and Families intervened, removing the toddler from Barnes’ care and placing her with a relative. Detectives later executed a search warrant at the shed, finding bleach-based disinfectant and paint.
The contents of the bottle were sent to the FBI laboratory for further analysis, which confirmed the presence of chlorine-based bleach. Consequently, an arrest warrant for Barnes was issued on May 28. She was taken into custody by the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office on June 3 and remains in jail, pending extradition to Hillsborough County.
“This case is deeply disturbing. No child deserves to be subjected to such dangerous and neglectful conditions,” said Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister. “The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is committed to protecting our community’s most vulnerable, and we will work tirelessly to ensure that those who harm children are held accountable.”