Caregiver Charged After Death of 12-Year-Old Boy in Suspected Foul Play
In a tragic incident that has shocked the Akron community, a 12-year-old boy named Jadako Taylor has died following alleged abusive punishments administered by a caregiver. The incident unfolded on Saturday and has led to an ongoing investigation by local authorities, who have raised concerns about foul play.
The boy’s caregiver, 23-year-old Anthony McCants, has been arrested and charged with felony child endangering. According to the Akron police, McCants, who was known to the Taylor family, was responsible for Jadako’s care during the time of the incident. On Monday morning, McCants was arraigned in Akron Municipal Court, where his bond was set at $50,000.
Authorities were alerted to the situation shortly after 2:30 p.m. on Saturday when they received a call regarding an unresponsive male at a residence on South Balch Street. Emergency responders, including police, fire, and EMS, quickly arrived on the scene. Upon arrival, they found Jadako unresponsive and not breathing. Despite attempts to revive him, he was transported to Akron Children’s Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 3:45 p.m.
An autopsy was conducted by the Summit County Medical Examiner’s Office, but the cause of death is still pending further investigation. The medical examiner’s office later reported that Jadako’s core body temperature at the time of death was only 74 degrees Fahrenheit, significantly lower than the normal body temperature of 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit for children.
A criminal complaint filed against McCants reveals disturbing details about the treatment Jadako endured while in his care. The complaint states that McCants allegedly forced the boy to undergo two grueling “ice baths” or “cold plunges,” starting early Saturday morning. The first session lasted about 45 minutes and was interspersed with short breaks that included push-ups and other physical activities. Following this, a second round of ice bathing for 30 minutes was reportedly enforced, paired with additional physical exertion.
These harsh punitive measures were reportedly intended as “corporal punishment,” according to the complaint. Witnesses indicated that after the second round of punishment, Jadako began to exhibit severe distress, including vomiting and seizing.
As the situation escalated, a 911 call was made from the residence by a male caller who identified himself as the boy’s brother. The caller expressed panic, stating that his brother had “busted his head.” He informed the dispatcher that Jadako was unresponsive but still breathing. In a frantic attempt to assist, the caller indicated that he was performing chest compressions on his brother.
The dispatcher guided the caller through the emergency response, asking critical questions to assess the boy’s condition. The caller revealed that Jadako had been feeling ill and had experienced flu-like symptoms, but he claimed it was “nothing crazy.” As the dispatcher instructed him to turn Jadako on his side, the situation became increasingly urgent; the boy continued to vomit, and his physical state appeared to deteriorate.
The dispatcher maintained communication with the caller, seeking clarity on the timeline of events leading up to the crisis. When asked about the moment he began chest compressions, the caller indicated that this was when Jadako had vomited.
As emergency responders arrived on the scene, they sought to gather additional information about Jadako’s health and any potential underlying conditions. The distressing details of the case have left the community in shock, prompting questions about the safety of children in vulnerable situations and the responsibilities of caregivers.
In the aftermath of this heartbreaking incident, the Akron community is left to grapple with the loss of a young life and the circumstances that led to this tragedy. As the investigation continues, there is a renewed emphasis on the need for vigilance in protecting children and ensuring that they are safe from harm, especially in environments meant to nurture and care for them. The case serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of accountability and the critical need for intervention in situations where child welfare is at risk.
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