Shatika Lawson, the stepmother charged in connection with the death of her four-year-old stepson, Malachi Lawson, pleaded guilty to child abuse resulting in death. Her sentencing is scheduled for December 6.

Shatika Lawson is married to Alicia Lawson, the boy’s biological mother.

Alicia Lawson, had previously admitted guilt to the charges in 2021 and is currently serving a 30-year prison sentence for her role in the tragedy.

Court documents reveal that on July 23, 2019, the two women were bathing Malachi after he had soiled himself. As they washed his clothes, they were responsible for the child suffering extensive burns to his lower body. The injuries were so severe that they observed his skin floating in the bathwater.

Fearing that child protective services would intervene and take custody of Malachi due to their history with the agency, the women decided against calling 911. Instead, they chose to treat the boy’s serious burns at home for over a week.

On August 1, 2019, Alicia awoke to find Malachi unresponsive. She wrapped his body in a blanket, placed it in a trash bag, and used a Lyft service to transport herself to a dumpster about 10 miles from their residence, where she disposed of the child’s body.

Investigators found that the water temperature at the Lawson home never rose above lukewarm, eliminating the possibility that Malachi’s scalding was an accident.

Shatika Lawson now faces the potential of a life sentence in prison.