Police Say Woman Returned From Home With Pot of Boiling Water During Chaotic Parking Lot Fight

Pontiac, Michigan — A 15-year-old girl suffered severe third-degree burns to her neck and most of her back after a 31-year-old woman allegedly poured boiling water on her during a chaotic parking lot fight, according to authorities.

Shanell Lakeisha Cohen was taken into custody this week and charged with one count of assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder or by strangulation following the incident.

The case began Sept. 28 after deputies with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office were called to the area of Leonard Lane at about 7 p.m. following multiple reports of a large group fighting.

When deputies arrived, they estimated that between 50 and 100 people were gathered in the parking lot.

Argument Escalated Into Physical Fight

Investigators said Cohen and the teenage victim initially became involved in a verbal argument.

According to authorities, the confrontation eventually turned physical. However, investigators said the situation took an even more serious turn after the initial altercation ended.

The sheriff’s office said:

“After that altercation ended, investigators determined Cohen went inside her residence and removed a pot of boiling water from the stove,” the sheriff’s office wrote. “Cohen then returned outside, where the teenager was involved in a separate physical altercation with other individuals. Detectives determined Cohen approached the teenager during that altercation and poured the pot of hot water onto her back.”

The teenager was left with extensive burns, according to investigators.

She was initially transported by ambulance to McLaren Oakland Hospital for treatment. Because of the severity of her injuries, she was later transferred to Children’s Hospital of Michigan in Detroit.

Teen Suffered Third-Degree Burns

The teenager remained hospitalized with third-degree burns to her neck and the majority of her back, according to the sheriff’s office. Authorities did not provide additional details about her condition or a possible recovery timeline.

The incident remains under investigation, with detectives working to establish the circumstances surrounding the confrontation and what happened immediately before the teenager was allegedly burned.

The large number of people present in the parking lot also added to the complexity of the response, with deputies encountering an estimated 50 to 100 people when they arrived.

Woman Allegedly Admitted to Pouring Water

Cohen later went to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office Pontiac Substation on Oct. 1 to speak with detectives. During the interview, investigators said Cohen admitted to pouring the boiling water on the teenager.

Following the alleged admission, Cohen was arrested and booked into the Oakland County Jail.

She subsequently appeared in court for her arraignment on Thursday. A judge ordered her held on a $75,000 cash-or-surety bond with a 10% provision, according to court records.

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Cohen is scheduled to return to court for a probable cause conference on the afternoon of Oct. 13.

Sheriff Warns Against Escalating Disputes

Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard addressed the case in a statement, pointing to the escalation from an argument into serious violence.

“We have another sad example of a verbal dispute, escalating into dangerous physical violence,” Sheriff Mike Bouchard said in a statement. “Individuals that do so will be held to account.”

Authorities have not indicated whether additional charges could be filed as the investigation continues.

The charge against Cohen is an accusation, and the case will now proceed through the court system. A criminal charge is not a conviction, and the prosecution will have to prove the allegations beyond a reasonable doubt.

If convicted, Cohen could face a maximum sentence of 10 years in state prison, according to authorities.

The incident serves as another example of how quickly a dispute can escalate into a situation involving serious injuries and criminal charges.

What do you think about the alleged escalation in this case? Share your thoughts in the comments below.