New details have emerged about a young boy from Florida who drowned in a bathtub.
The deceased, Anthony Rouse, was only six years old at the time of his death on April 22. The inquiry into his death exposed chilling evidence of abuse. His stepfather is accused of submerging his head underwater preceding the fatal incident. Alize and Tre Seymore, Anthony’s mother and stepfather, have been charged with several counts of child abuse and witness tampering.
Evidence indicates that Anthony endured severe mistreatment before his death, including instances of food withheld, being caged in a dog crate and other indicators of torture.
Reports state that Andre Rouse, Anthony’s biological father, had been battling for his son’s custody and is still struggling to come to terms with the loss. A 10-year-old boy from the same Polk County home shockingly confessed to authorities that he and his siblings were rewarded for physically harming Anthony.
The young informant shared how he saw Tre dunk Anthony’s head into the bathtub, an act that later led to police engagement.
The abuse allegations extended beyond physical harm, as the affidavits detailed instances of confinement, such as locking the children in a room whose locks were installed so the children could not get out. The room was found littered with clothes soaked in urine and feces, and lacked electricity. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has passed the investigation to the State Attorney’s Office, predicting further charges against the accused couple.
Andre Rouse revealed his heartbreak, mentioning his ongoing custody dispute with Alize, Anthony’s mother. Alize had previously been involved in a case with the Department of Children and Families, leading to Anthony spending his early childhood in state care. Andre had sole custody of Anthony from ages two to five, but Anthony was later given back to Alize due to Andre’s imprisonment for a domestic violence conviction from an earlier relationship. Andre emphasized how this abrupt change had a negative impact on Anthony, who frequently expressed his desire to return to his father during phone calls.
Stricken by his son’s hospitalization and subsequent death, Andre urged people to report any suspicions or evidence of child abuse in an effort to prevent similar tragedies. He implored everyone to speak out before it’s too late.
