Advertisement Police: Franklin woman arrested following death of 4-year-old stepson Child's death ruled homicide; additional charges against suspect likely Share Shares Copy Link Copy

A 4-year-old was found not breathing Wednesday morning after being "punished" the night before by his stepmother, police said.According to Franklin police, Anna Ritchie, 25, put her stepson Austin Derreck Cooper’s legs in scalding hot water in a bathtub Tuesday night before sending him to bed.Watch latest storyThe following morning, police said they responded to Boulder Drive in Franklin, where the child was found unresponsive.He was transported to Atrium Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His death was ruled a homicide by the Warren Co. Coroner on Thursday."There's nothing a 4-year-old could do to deserve a punishment like this," said Franklin Police Chief Russ Whitman. "Our officers, our detectives and myself, we all have kids and some of us have grandkids now. Our hearts and prayers go out to the child's family. Nobody should have to go through something like this."Investigators said after the little boy was sent to bed, no one checked on him overnight until he was discovered not breathing in the morning.Police said the child's dad was in the apartment at the time, but investigators are still trying to figure out if he was involved.Neighbors said they are horrified by the allegations."It's heartbreaking. I can't believe that baby lost its life," said neighbor Maureen Wright. "It's just disturbing how somebody could actually hurt a 4-year-old like that, let alone any child and to just do it and be OK while they're doing it and to know that baby is just screaming for help and there was nobody there to help him.""It's horrible, horrible. I just couldn't imagine, me as a mother and a grandmother, I just couldn't imagine," said neighbor Nicole Deronde.Ritchie had been charged with child endangering and is being held in Warren County jail on a $100,000 bond. With the homicide ruling, additional charges are likely, and her bond was raised to $350,000.Police said they are still waiting for the coroner to make a final ruling on the cause of the child's death. Officials said further charges may be filed.Ritchie will be video-arraigned at noon on Friday in Franklin Municipal Court.