Georgia Mother Arrested After 5-Year-Old Son Suffers Cigarette Burns in Repeated Abuse Case

A mother in Augusta, Georgia, faces felony charges for allegedly burning her 5-year-old son with a cigarette, marking the second incident and uncovering signs of repeated abuse.

Augusta, GA — A 32-year-old mother is behind bars after authorities say she inflicted cigarette burns on her 5-year-old son in what appears to be a pattern of ongoing abuse.

Tisheika N. Washington was arrested on Friday and charged with first-degree cruelty to children after school officials reported fresh injuries on her young son’s back, which they believed were caused by intentional burning.

According to a report from the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to Richmond Hill Elementary School on Thursday following a call regarding suspected child abuse. A concerned teacher told investigators that one of her students had complained about back pain. When she examined him further, she discovered a fresh, circular wound that resembled a burn.

When questioned, the child told his teacher that his mother had burned him with a lit cigarette as punishment for misbehaving.

The teacher also disclosed that this wasn’t the first time she had raised concerns about the child’s welfare. She previously filed a report with the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) after the boy claimed Washington had pressed the lit end of a cigarette into his left temple. Though that incident was not reported to local law enforcement at the time, deputies noted a round scar on the child’s temple consistent with the shape of a cigarette burn.

Authorities say both the back wound and the older injury on the temple appeared similar in size and shape, raising concerns of repeated abuse. The school nurse, who has experience treating burn injuries, told deputies the wound on the child's back appeared to be in various stages of healing, suggesting multiple incidents may have occurred over time.

“This could be caused by multiple injuries occurring in the same spot over time,” the official incident report stated.

Washington was later located at her home on Nordahl Drive and taken into custody without incident. She was booked at the Charles B. Webster Detention Center, where she remained as of Monday. Whether she has obtained legal representation or a bond has been set is unknown.

Officials have not released information regarding the current welfare of the child or if any protective services have intervened to remove him from the home. The investigation is ongoing, and child advocacy organizations are calling for heightened awareness and community involvement in protecting vulnerable children from abuse.

If you witness or suspect child abuse, contact the Georgia Child Protective Services hotline at 1-855-GACHILD (1-855-422-4453) or your local police department. Your call could make a difference.