Charges Upgraded Against SW Miami-Dade Mother in Burning Death of Toddler

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Christina Hurt is now charged with second degree murder and aggravated child abuse in the January 18th death of her one-year-old son.
According to police, Hurt told investigators that the toddler had been accidentally burned by an older sibling with hot bath water.
Investigators say the mother of three, who had lost custody of her children before, allegedly refused to seek medical help for her son.

A Miami-Dade mother is back behind bars after prosecutors upgraded charges in a case involving the death of her son.

Christina Hurt is now charged with second degree murder and aggravated child abuse in the January 18th death of her one-year-old son, Ethan Coley. Hurt had initially been charged with manslaughter in the case and released on bond but was taken back into custody on Monday.

The upgraded charges came after a judge in the case heard graphic testimony Monday about the pain Coley, who suffered extreme burns to his torso and toes, went through after his mother declined to seek help – also determining that Hurt was a possible flight risk and may try to contact her other children.

According to police, Hurt told investigators that the toddler had been accidentally burned by an older sibling with hot bath water in their Homestead home on January 17th – but investigators say the mother of three, who had lost custody of her children before, allegedly refused to seek medical help for Coley.

Officials say Hurt took her other children to school the following day before going to a Southwest Miami-Dade home of a friend, where they allege she ignored the advice of witnesses to take the child to an area hospital – instead trying to give Coley first aid before leaving him on a mattress outside the home.

Police were called and rushed the child to the hospital, where he later died and Hurt was arrested.