Stepmom of scalded Ohio boy who died is charged with murder

LEBANON, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio woman accused of killing her 4-year-old stepson by putting him in scalding water as punishment the day before he was found dead has been indicted on murder and other charges.

Warren County's prosecutor said today that grand jurors indicted Anna Ritchie on charges of murder, involuntary manslaughter, felonious assault and endangering children. Ritchie's attorney declined to comment on the case.

Prosecutor David Fornshell says the Franklin woman put Austin Cooper in water estimated at around 130 degrees for at least 20 minutes and resented being his primary caregiver.

Fornshell says the boy was bleeding and had skin coming off his legs when Ritchie put him to bed without treatment.