New details have emerged about a young boy from Florida who drowned in a bathtub.
The victim, Anthony Rouse, was only six years old when he died on April 22. Investigations into his death revealed horrific details of abuse. His stepfather allegedly forced Anthony’s head underwater before the drowning. Anthony’s mother and stepfather, Alize and Tre Seymore, face numerous charges, including child abuse and witness tampering.
Before the fatal incident, Anthony had been subjected to brutal abuse, including instances of being confined in a dog cage and other torture.
Reports say that Andre Rouse, Anthony’s biological father, had been seeking custody of his son and is still grappling with the tragedy. A 10-year-old boy who lived in the same Polk County home admitted to officials that he and his siblings were encouraged to physically harm Anthony.
The young eyewitness described seeing Tre submerge Anthony’s head in the bathtub, triggering police involvement.
The abuse wasn’t just physical, as affidavits highlight instances of the children being locked in a room and being underfed. The room, discovered to contain urine- and feces-stained clothing and lacking electricity, points to a deeper level of maltreatment. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has now handed the investigation to the State Attorney’s Office, anticipating more charges against the Seymore couple.
Andre Rouse spoke of his anguish and his ongoing custody battle with Alize, Anthony’s mother. Alize had previously been part of a Department of Children and Families case, which resulted in Anthony being placed in state custody during his early years. Andre had sole custody from ages two to five, but Anthony was later returned to Alize due to Andre’s incarceration for a domestic violence conviction involving a previous relationship. Andre expressed how this abrupt transition adversely affected Anthony, who often voiced his wish to come back to his father during phone calls.
Stricken with grief following the news of his son’s hospitalization and subsequent death, Andre encouraged people to report any suspicions or knowledge of child abuse to prevent similar heartbreaking events. He urged individuals to act swiftly before it’s too late.