MILWAUKEE, WI – A stepmother in Milwaukee named Arlesia Burks has been charged with first-degree intentional homicide in connection to the death of a 6-year-old boy, Zane McAttee-Adams. According to the criminal complaint, upon his admission to the hospital on July 21, McAttee-Adams had “extensive bruising to the head and body” and was later declared dead at Children’s Wisconsin.
The boy’s father and Burks had been his primary caregivers for the past two years until a conviction left Burks solely responsible for his care starting in March. When brought to the hospital, Burks told detectives that the boy self-harmed when he did not get his way, causing the injuries observed. She also stated that he had vomited four times earlier on the day he was admitted to the hospital.
Surveillance footage at Saint Joseph’s Hospital contradicted Burks’ account, showing the young boy to be barely conscious and incapable of walking independently. Examination of Burks’ cell phone revealed online searches regarding the boy’s symptoms hours prior to his hospital visit but failed to mention that the boy had blood in his vomit to any healthcare providers.
An autopsy highlighted injuries consistent with blunt force trauma, leading a child abuse pediatrician to diagnose the case as inflicted trauma and physical child abuse.
In 2013, Burks was convicted for the physical abuse of a child, her boyfriend’s 10-month-old son, for which she received an eight-year prison sentence. If found guilty of the recent charges, she could face a lifetime in prison.