4-year old dies after being hit, forced into tub of hot water by sister, police say

JONESBORO, Ga. — A 4-year-old child died after police say he was hit with a belt and allegedly forced into a tub of hot water by his sister.

The incident occurred in Crossbones, which is about 14 miles south of Atlanta.

Emergency crews responded to a home in Jonesboro on Feb. 19 after the child, identified as Jamal Dunlap, was having trouble breathing, according to a spokesperson with Clayton County police.

Police say Jamal was taken to the hospital and had second- and third-degree burns on more than 40 percent of his body.

The spokesperson said that after investigating, police discovered that a day earlier Jamal was hit with a belt and held in a tub of hot water by his 15-year-old sister because he allegedly urinated on himself.

The child was also in the care of his aunt, Aleshia Harris, who was allegedly made aware of his injures, but didn't get help until nearly a day later, according to police.

Police say that after Jamal was taken to the hospital, he was pronounced dead, adding that the delay in getting medical attention for him contributed to his death.

Both Jamal's aunt and sister were arrested and charged with murder and child cruelty.