Angry Mom Accused of Burning Son with Lit Cigarette

LOWELL - A 47-year-old Lowell mother is facing assault charges after she allegedly used a lit cigarette to burn her 15-year-old son on the stomach.

In Lowell District Court on Monday, Evelyn Cosby, 46, of Lowell, was released on personal recognizance after pleading not guilty to charges of assault and battery and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

Prosecutor Megan McGovern argued for $2,500 cash bail explaining that on April 2, Lowell police responded to an apartment where they found Cosby's 15-year- old son with what appeared to be a cigarette burn on his stomach.

McGovern said the alleged victim told police he and his mother were fighting over his Xbox. Cosby allegedly flew into a rage and burned her son on his belly, McGovern said.

The boy was not seriously injured, but Lowell police contacted the state Department of Children and Families (DCF).

Prosecutor Gabrielle Lomanno said she contacted DCF about the status of the case. The 15-year-old boy and his 14-year-old sister are currently in DCF custody, while a 3-year-old child is with the father.

Lomanno noted that in 2015, DCF investigated allegations of neglect by Cosby of the two oldest children and allegedly physical abuse of the 14-year-old girl. But as of 2017, Cosby had custody of all the children, Lomanno said.

In arguing for her client's release without bail, defense attorney Jeanine Mercure told the judge "there is a lot more to the story.''

Mercure said the boy had his Xbox taken away from him as punishment for falling asleep at school and being disrespectful. While fighting with his mother, the boy and charged at his mother, who was smoking a cigarette, and he must have gotten burned, Mercure said. She describes the incident as an "accidental burning.''

In court, Judge Ellen Caulo ordered Cosby to stay away and have no contact with her son, and comply with all DCF requirements.

A pretrial conference is scheduled for May 9.

Photo of Evelyn Cosby by lisa.redmond@patch.com.