Michigan Woman Arrested for Pouring Boiling Water on Teen During Brawl

A 31-year-old Michigan woman has been arrested for allegedly pouring boiling water on a 15-year-old girl during a large-scale altercation. Shanell Lakeisha Cohen was taken into custody by police following the incident that occurred Sunday evening in Pontiac.

According to the Oakland County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to a call around 7:00 p.m. reporting a fight involving a significant number of people in the parking lot of Arborview Village. Upon arrival, law enforcement observed approximately 50 to 100 individuals engaged in the brawl.

After the initial fight was subdued, authorities stated that Cohen went into her residence and returned with a pot of hot water. She then approached the teenager, who was involved in a separate dispute with other individuals, and splashed the boiling water onto the girl's back.

The teen sustained extensive burns and was transported to a local hospital. Officials report she remains hospitalized with third-degree burns to her neck and back.

Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard commented on the incident, stating, "We have another sad example of a verbal dispute, escalating into dangerous physical violence. Individuals that do so will be held to account." He noted that such incidents have become increasingly common across the state and the country, where group gatherings can quickly devolve into physical confrontations.

Cohen reportedly admitted to pouring the hot water on the teen during the police investigation. She was subsequently arrested and charged with assault with intent to do great bodily harm, less than murder, or strangulation. Her bond was set at $75,000, and her next court appearance is scheduled for October 13.

Lasheron Gray, the mother of the injured teen, told WXYZ that her daughter is not doing well and will require extensive medical care. "She's still currently in the hospital. She's been in there since Sunday night," Gray said.