Toddler dehydrated as punishment for bed-wetting

Two family friends accused of depriving a toddler of fluid for a week as punishment for bed-wetting have appeared in court in Meriden, Connecticut, to face charges over his death.

Police said 23-month-old Amari Jackson died of dehydration while Sharon Patterson and her brother Robert Patterson were caring for him in February.

Investigators said glasses around the house were laced with hot sauce to keep the boy from drinking.



According to an arrest warrant affidavit, Robert Patterson told police that the boy cried for his mother when he began staying with him and his sister, but "towards the end of his stay Amari was crying for something to drink".

Amari was pronounced dead at Yale-New Haven Hospital, where medical records indicate that he "appeared wasted" and had "sunken eyes".

Sharon Patterson, 39, was charged with manslaughter, cruelty to persons and risk of injury to a minor. Her 31-year-old brother was charged with cruelty to persons and risk of injury to a minor.