Hawthorne Woman Arrested for Child Neglect, Four-Year-Old Found Involved in Repeated Incidents

HAWTHORNE ‒ A 38-year-old Hawthorne woman is facing multiple charges of child neglect after her medically fragile four-year-old child was found unclothed and unsupervised near a roadway earlier this month.

The woman, identified as Casey Kay McDowell, was arrested Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, and charged with child neglect without great bodily harm, according to the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office. She was also booked on an outstanding warrant related to a March case involving the same child’s medical care.

The recent investigation began at approximately 10:12 a.m. on Oct. 6, when a caller reported seeing a naked child near a road in Hawthorne. Deputies responded to McDowell’s residence after the concerned witness called 911 and stayed on the line while checking the property.

The caller reportedly knocked on the front door with no response, then walked to the back of the house, where the door was open. Calling out several times but hearing nothing, the witness entered the home fearing a medical emergency. Inside, McDowell was found waking up in the bathroom. The witness remained with the child until deputies arrived.

Deputies noted that the four-year-old child has multiple medical conditions requiring frequent monitoring and treatment. Reports indicate the child was unattended, unclothed, and vulnerable near the roadway when discovered.

McDowell reportedly told deputies she takes suboxone, a medication prescribed for opioid addiction treatment, and had taken her morning dose that day. She declined medical treatment at the scene.

Prior March Case

McDowell’s latest arrest also stems from a March 14, 2025, incident that raised serious concerns about the same child’s care. At that time, deputies were attempting to locate Sean Burnham, McDowell’s then-boyfriend, who is a registered sexual offender. Burnham had reportedly been staying at McDowell’s home several nights a week but had failed to register her address, a violation of state law.

During that visit, deputies reported that McDowell appeared unaware of her three-year-old child’s whereabouts. She reportedly blamed an older child for failing to supervise him.

A neighbor eventually brought the toddler home, describing him as dirty, wearing only shorts, and with medical ports exposed. Deputies noted that the child required specialized care, including a medical cast. They reported that McDowell had been told on March 16 that the cast needed replacement but delayed treatment until March 20, resulting in wounds to the child’s foot from the wet cast.

Further inspection revealed a burn on the child’s hand, which McDowell reportedly could not explain.

Following the March incident, the child was hospitalized, and medical staff later told authorities that McDowell appeared under the influence while visiting. She was reportedly found asleep in a hospital bathroom while her child lay in a hospital bed without the safety guard rail raised.

Connected Cases

Burnham was subsequently arrested and entered a plea of nolo contendere (no contest) to two counts of failing to register required information as a sexual offender. He is now serving a state prison sentence in that case.

McDowell’s new charges include two counts of child neglect — one tied to the March case and another from the October incident — as well as obstructing justice for allegedly lying to law enforcement about Burnham’s location earlier in the year.

Authorities say McDowell has no prior local criminal record, but the two cases have prompted ongoing review by child welfare officials.

Judge Adam Lee set McDowell’s bond at $50,000, and she remains in custody pending further hearings.

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