A Gary mother is facing charges after doctors concluded her son was abused with several burns and “lasting” brain damage.

Lashaunda Castleberry, 35, was charged Tuesday with neglect of a dependent resulting in catastrophic injury, a Level 1 felony. She is in custody, held on a $5,000 cash bond.

Gary Det. Sean Melendez wrote that police responded at 12:30 p.m. Aug. 24 to Methodist Hospitals Northlake.

A nurse told the officer that Castleberry said the boy was having “stomach problems.”

When he was examined, hospital staff found burns on his cheeks, abdomen and thigh. His right eye was swollen and bruised.

The mother told them he fell off a bed two days ago, but seemed OK. She claimed the burns were “bruises” and “marks” from ice packs.

Dr. Emily Duym told police that the child was “no

See Full Page