Crime & Safety
Pontiac, MI Assault: Teen Suffers Severe Burns From Boiling Water
Pontiac, MI – A 15 year old girl remains hospitalized with severe burns after investigators allege a Pontiac woman poured boiling water onto the teenager during a confrontation involving a large crowd
By Nolan Pierce · 2026-10-01T20:25:16.472Z
Pontiac, MI – A 15 year old girl remains hospitalized with severe burns after investigators allege a Pontiac woman poured boiling water onto the teenager during a confrontation involving a large crowd.
According to the Oakland County Sheriff 's Office, deputies responded around 7 p.m. Sunday to the Leonard Lane area in Pontiac, where an estimated 50 to 100 people had gathered in a parking lot amid reports of fighting.
Investigators said the teenager and 31 year old Shanell Lakeisha Cohen initially became involved in a physical altercation. After that confrontation ended, authorities allege Cohen went into her residence and removed a pot of boiling water from the stove.
The sheriff's office alleges Cohen then returned outside while the 15 year old was involved in another physical altercation. Detectives said Cohen approached the teenager and poured the hot water onto her back.
The girl suffered extensive burns and was initially taken by ambulance to McLaren Oakland Hospital. Due to the severity of her injuries, she was transferred to Children's Hospital of Michigan in Detroit.
Authorities said Thursday that the teenager remained hospitalized with third degree burns to her neck and the majority of her back.
Cohen went to the Oakland County Sheriff's Office Pontiac Substation on Thursday and was interviewed by detectives. Investigators said she admitted pouring the hot water on the teenager. She was subsequently arrested.
The Oakland County Prosecutor's Office authorized one felony count of assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder or by strangulation.
Cohen was arraigned Thursday in 50th District Court. Bond was set at $75,000 cash or surety, 10%. Her probable cause conference is scheduled for Oct. 13 at 1:30 p.m.
The charge is an allegation. Cohen is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.