BAY CITY, Mich. (WJRT) — A horrifying case of alleged child abuse and neglect has emerged out of Bay County, Michigan, where a mother has been charged following the death of her severely malnourished 4-year-old son. Authorities say the child, at the time of his death in October 2024, weighed only 10 pounds — roughly the weight of a healthy newborn.
Jessica Burke, a resident of Bay City, is now facing a single but severe count of first-degree child abuse. Prosecutors say the level of suffering endured by the child is almost unimaginable. The boy’s autopsy revealed a shocking and heartbreaking cause of death: homicide due to malnourishment and starvation.
According to court documents, Burke failed to provide the most basic necessities for her child, ultimately resulting in his death. The criminal complaint filed by the Bay County Prosecutor’s Office paints a grim picture of neglect and abuse — one that left even seasoned investigators deeply disturbed.
Authorities have not released the name of the child due to his age and the sensitivity of the case, but they have emphasized the disturbing nature of his condition. A four-year-old child, on average, should weigh between 30 and 40 pounds. At just 10 pounds, the child’s physical state was consistent with long-term, chronic starvation, not the result of a short-term illness or sudden medical emergency.
Following her arraignment last week, Burke was ordered held on a $250,000 cash surety bond, signaling the seriousness of the charges against her. As the investigation continues, many are asking how a child in such dire condition could have slipped through the cracks of the social safety net meant to protect vulnerable minors.
Neighbors and local residents are expressing shock and outrage. Some claim they rarely saw the child, while others say there were no clear signs of abuse from the outside. But the autopsy leaves little room for doubt about what the child endured in his final months and days.
“This is a heartbreaking and deeply troubling case,” said a spokesperson from the Bay County Prosecutor’s Office. “It is our duty to pursue justice on behalf of this innocent child, who suffered greatly in what should have been a safe and loving environment.”
As the legal proceedings unfold, advocates for children’s welfare are once again calling for stronger systems to detect and intervene in cases of abuse and neglect earlier. The tragedy of this case underscores the need for vigilant community involvement, accessible social services, and thorough investigations when warning signs appear — no matter how subtle they may seem.
Jessica Burke is expected to return to court in the coming weeks for a preliminary hearing. If convicted, she faces the possibility of life in prison.
Meanwhile, the Bay City community mourns the loss of a child whose life was tragically cut short under harrowing circumstances — a silent victim of abuse who now serves as a grim reminder of the importance of protecting society’s most vulnerable.