Page 163 - CFDI Guide

Child Abuse (9)

A mother and maternal grandmother transported a three-year girl to the hospital with several burns on her buttocks

and back of both upper legs. The child’s father arrived shortly after, with two male siblings. The parents reported the
child was burned in the bathtub by hot water. The father reported he first heard their daughter crying while sleeping (he
works an overnight shift). The mother showed him burns under a towel, and the grandmother told them they needed to

go to the hospital. Both parents’ cell phones had run out of minutes for the month and they couldn’t call 911 [in

interviews, both reported not knowing they could still call 911]. They did not put any clothes on their daughter and took
her to the hospital. The father got both sons from a neighbor and then went to the hospital.

The law enforcement investigation found neither parent had any burns. Their timelines were inconsistent, as were some

details of their stories. The physician reported the burns were severe and caused by immersion in scalding water. In a
formal interview, the mother stated she was preparing the tub for a bath, with the daughter in the tub. She was using

the toilet, opposite side of bathroom with sink between, when the daughter must have turned on the hot water and
burned herself. She grabbed her from the tub, and a towel and screamed for help – the daughter was also screaming

and crying. She showed her mother, and then her husband came out from their bedroom.

Review of the photographs, and bodycams of responding officers to the mobile home, showed the tub had about three
inches of water. No temperature was taken, or actual measurements. The trash, laundry, and cabinets were checked.

The environment was borderline safe and child protective services provided instructions for a safe environment. Food
and clothing were adequate. No alcohol or other drugs, except cigarettes, were found. The child was not the father’s

biological child, the two sons were his and not the mother’s. Further review of the photographs showed the injuries
were inconsistent with immersion. Photographs of both parents’ hands showed no burns or indications.

Research showed hot water burn injuries to infants happen over a range of seconds depending on water temperature. A

scene investigation and testing of the water to measure flow rate to fill the tub, as well as increasing temperature rate
was completed. During the experiment, the father reported the hot and cold water faucets were switched, and the cold

water faucet requires pliers to turn, as the handle is broke, and the hot water works normal – this was confirmed. The
father also produced receipts showing the hot water heater had been replaced only one month prior. Inspection for the

temperature setting showed it was at the high end of recommended – the father stated this was to heat the water

faster, as they have to pay their water bill.

The parents were a mixed family in a new relationship with financial issues. There was no history of domestic issues

between them, and no prior calls to the home by either police or child protective services. Neither parent had substance

abuse issues. The mother had mental health issues and historical abuse. The scene investigation showed the infant was

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