A Wisconsin woman took her 6-year-old stepson to a Milwaukee hospital after he was complaining that his stomach hurt.
Surveillance video allegedly showed the boy struggling to walk and collapsing while entering the hospital.
Then, the woman is seen pulling him up and holding him by his sweatshirt. While at the hospital, doctors said the boy had “extensive bruising,” a black eye and cuts on his body.
While being treated, he became “pulseless” and medical staff spent 50 minutes working to resuscitate him. He was taken to a children’s hospital where he later died.
The victim was identified as 6-year-old Zane McAttee-Adams.
The stepmother was identified as Anitra Burks.
Zane underwent emergency abdominal surgery after arriving at the hospital.
An autopsy showed that Zane had “extensive blunt force injuries” and a broken rib. His cause of death was ruled homicide from “complications from multiple blunt force injuries.”
Officials said bruises found on the child’s legs and chest seemed to match the hole pattern on crutches used by Burks. Burks had been Zane’s primary caretaker since his father was convicted of offenses in March 2024. She told investigators that Zane had “behavior issues” and would scratch, pinch and injure himself at times.
Doctors diagnosed Zane with “inflicted trauma and child physical abuse.”
Burks is charged with first-degree intentional homicide and neglecting a child.
Burks was given a $250,000 bond and is due back in court in August.
