[Watch previous WJW coverage in the player above.]
AKRON, Ohio (WJW) — A 12-year-old Ohio boy whose suspicious death is now under investigation was allegedly forced into ice baths for more than 30 minutes at a time as a form of corporal punishment, according to a criminal complaint obtained by NewsNation local affiliate WJW.
Anthony J. McCants, 23, of Akron, who was watching the boy at the time, according to the complaint, is now charged in Akron Municipal Court with a third-degree felony count of endangering children. He was arraigned Monday morning and handed a $500,000 bond, court records show.
The Summit County Medical Examiner’s Office on Monday identified the boy as Jadako Taylor, of Akron. An autopsy was performed Monday, but his cause of death is still pending investigation, according to a Monday update.
Taylor was allegedly forced into two ice baths or “cold plunges,” one lasting 45 minutes and another lasting at least 30 minutes, with short breaks of “push-ups and other physical activity” in between, according to the complaint.
It started some time after 5 a.m. on Saturday, according to the complaint. At about 2 p.m., during the second round of punishment, Taylor began to “vomit and seize,” according to the complaint.
Akron police officers on Saturday afternoon responded to a home in the city for a report of a person in cardiac arrest, WJW previously reported.
Firefighters found Taylor unresponsive. He was rushed to Akron Children’s Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
His core temperature was 74 degrees, according to the complaint. Hypothermia sets in when the body’s temperature drops below 95 degrees, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
A preliminary investigation showed there was “foul play involved,” according to a previous news release from police.
Officers later arrested McCants, who they said is known to the family.
McCants’ case will now go before a Summit County grand jury for possible indictment.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone who can offer information is urged to call Akron detectives at 330-375-2490 or 330-375-2TIP (330-375-2847).
Anonymous tips can also be provided by:
- Calling Summit County Crimestoppers at 330-434-COPS (330-434-2677)
- Texting TIPSCO with your tip to 274637
- Downloading the Akron Police Department app and texting Tips411 or visiting the police department’s website