A 23-year-old man has been arrested after allegedly forcing a 12-year-old boy to sit in ice baths as a form of punishment, which led to the child’s death. The incident occurred in Akron, Ohio, where authorities responded to a 911 call reporting an injured child.
When emergency responders arrived at the residence, they found the young boy, identified as Jadako Taylor, unconscious and not breathing. Paramedics transported him to a local children’s hospital, but despite their efforts, he was pronounced dead a little over an hour later. Authorities quickly suspected foul play and took Anthony J. McCants into custody on charges related to child endangerment.
According to the criminal complaint, McCants forced the child to sit in two ice baths for a total of 45 minutes. In between these ice baths, the boy was made to perform pushups and other strenuous exercises. During the ordeal, the child began to vomit and suffer from seizures. The medical examiner later determined that hypothermia was a factor in his death, with his body temperature recorded at just 74 degrees.
Medical experts state that hypothermia begins when the body’s temperature falls below 95 degrees, significantly affecting the function of the heart, nervous system, and other vital organs. If not treated in time, it can result in complete organ failure and death. A normal body temperature is approximately 98.6 degrees, making the child’s temperature dangerously low when he was found unresponsive.
The accused, McCants, was known to the family and had been left in charge of caring for the boy at the time of the incident. He was arrested the same day and remains in custody at the Summit County Jail. Authorities have set his bond at $500,000 as they continue their investigation into the case.
Officials have announced that the case will be presented to a grand jury to determine the next legal steps. A status hearing is currently scheduled for May 16. If convicted, McCants could face serious legal consequences for his role in the boy’s tragic death.
The case has sparked outrage, with many calling for justice for the young victim. Investigators are still gathering evidence, including the results of the autopsy, to establish the full extent of the abuse that led to this fatal outcome.
