An Independence babysitter has been charged after an infant in her care was taken to the hospital with burns and found to have potential brain bleeding.

Advertisement Independence babysitter charged with scalding, shaking infant Brea C. White has been charged with endangering the welfare of a child Share Shares Copy Link Copy

An Independence babysitter has been charged after an infant in her care was taken to the hospital with burns and found to have potential brain bleeding. On Saturday, March 19. Independence first responders were called to an apartment in the 950 block of Leroy Avenue to check on an infant who had stopped breathing.The babysitter, 22-year-old Brea C. White, told authorities the 4-month-old she was watching had been in the bathtub when the infant started having trouble breathing around 12:30 p.m. Saturday.Officers observed what they believed to be scalding burns on the child.The infant was rushed to Children's Mercy Hospital where the child was diagnosed with 1st and 2nd degree "dipping burns" on approximately 60% of the child's body.Doctors also stated that potential brain bleeding was discovered and the infant's brain injuries were consistent with having been shaken. White told detectives that she had been giving the child a bath in a plastic infant tub and that she rubbed baby oil on the child during the bath. White said she had tested the water as she placed the infant into the bath. White told authorities that she did not shake the child. Brea White has been charged with Endangering the Welfare of a Child first degree - a felony. Prosecutors have requested a $40,000 bond in this case. The charges have sent shock waves through the apartment complex where White lives. Residents said it's hard to believe the single mom would be accused of such a vicious crime.One of White's neighbors, who asked not to be identified, said she saw the flurry of activity at White's apartment on Saturday."The baby was crying when they took it out," she said. "She went straight in the ambulance and didn't waste any time and they took off to the hospital."Neighbors said White has lived there about two years and has always been pleasant to them. They said they're not aware of any previous problems with her.Telecia Parrish is a neighbor of the injured boy's mother. She said the news has been tough to take."It's sad because I know that she's a single mom and she's struggling," Parrish said. "This shouldn't happen to her or her family."White is due back in court April 4. Her bail is set at $10,000.