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Who is Laureen McArthur? Pregnant Tennessee mom scalds her baby to death in bathtub, asks for funeral money online

Laureen McArthur is accused of fatally injuring her 14-month-old son Dominique at their home
UPDATED DEC 3, 2020
Laureen McArthur (Obion County Sheriff’s Office)
Laureen McArthur (Obion County Sheriff’s Office)

UNION CITY, TENNESSEE: A pregnant mother reportedly scalded her toddler to death in a hot bath before posting pictures and a video of his funeral on social media begging for money. Laureen McArthur, 27, is accused of fatally injuring her 14-month-old son Dominique at their home on November 10. Union City police said in a Facebook post on Tuesday, December 2, that officers began investigating the case after a child with severe burns was admitted to Arkansas Children’s Hospital on November 10. The toddler died four days later in an Arkansas hospital burn unit, police said.

It was determined by the investigators that the little boy had been “scalded by bath water over 47 percent of his body,” according to authorities. After McArthur shared photos and a video of Dominique’s funeral and issued a plea for cash on her Facebook account, she was arrested and charged with negligent homicide and child abuse on December 2. The suspect, who has a tattoo across her chest which reads, "family over everything" posted a link to her Cashapp account the day after Dominique was admitted to hospital. It read, "If y’all wanna send me some money my Cashapp is $hannahp2000 any lil bit will help right now fr (IM NOT PUTING NOTHING ON FB BOUT IT AS OF RIGHT NOW."

Dominique’s death was announced by her on November 14, writing: "We love you baby boy". McArthur also shared a link to a GoFundMe page which was set up under the name "China Smith" to pay for Dominique’s funeral and "help ease the pain and burden for the family". The description in the fundraiser read as if it was set up by Dominique's cousin. 

"This is Dominique, he is my cousin and he was in a tragic accident earlier in the week but today Nov 14th, 2020 he passed away with his family by his side. His family, Our family is in need of help to bury this sweet boy, as you can imagine nobody was or ever really is prepared for this to happen to them so we are asking for ANYTHING that will help ease the pain and burden for the family and help them lay this sweet baby to rest. If you can not donate we ask for your prayers instead and thank each and everyone who donates, shares, or says a prayer for Our family. Thank you !!" it said. 

Only $140 had been raised of the fundraiser's set goal of $5000. McArthur shared multiple photoshopped images of her late son as an angel, and also uploaded videos of a balloon release held in his honor before getting arrested. She paid numerous tributes to Dominque on Facebook, writing "RIH" (rest in heaven). She also uploaded photos from the funeral which included snaps of pallbearers carrying Dominique’s small white coffin to his grave, and a video of a pastor conducting the service.

The circumstances surrounding Dominique’s death have been kept under wraps by investigators. The incident took place just two weeks after McArthur announced on social media that she was pregnant with another child. McArthur remains in Obion County Jail ahead of her next court hearing.

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