Toddler injured during drug raid remains in coma
A toddler injured during a Cornelia drug raid two weeks ago is still clinging to life, his parents told reporters Thursday.
Nineteen-month-old Bounkham “Bou Bou” Phonesavanh was badly burned when deputies with the Habersham County Special Response Team deployed a flash bang device that accidentally landed in the toddler’s playpen. Bou Bou remains in a medically induced coma and has already undergone three surgeries, with more to come.
Bounkham and Alecia Phonesavanh also revealed that deputies would not let them tend to their son after he was injured. Their lawyer, Mawuli Mel Davis, said the father’s hands were placed in disposable restraints for “asking too many questions,” adding that neither parent was allowed to accompany Bou Bou to Grady Memorial Hospital.
When the Phonesavanh’s asked about all the blood inside the playpen, they were told by deputies that he had lost a tooth, Davis said.
More details to come on myajc.com
About the Author
A native Atlantan, Boone joined the AJC staff in 2007. He quickly carved out a niche covering crime stories, assuming the public safety beat in 2014. He's covered some of the biggest trials this decade, from Hemy Neuman to Ross Harris to Chip Olsen, the latter of which was featured on Season 7 of the AJC's award-winning "Breakdown" podcast.
