3-Year-Old Child In Florida Suffers Severe Burns After Mother's Boyfriend 'Submerges' Toddler In Scalding Water

A man in Florida was charged with child abuse Wednesday for "submerging" his girlfriend’s three-year-old child in scalding water, leaving the toddle with second-degree burns.

Officials from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office arrived at the hospital after receiving information that a child was being treated for multiple second-degree burns.

During interrogation, the child’s unidentified mother said her boyfriend, identified as 19-year-old Christopher Reddick, told her that he boiled water on the stove for the three-year-old’s bath as he had used up all the hot water while taking a shower. He was reportedly taking the pot to the bathroom when the child’s younger sibling suddenly came in front of him, resulting in him tripping and spilling the water on the three-year-old. When the detectives interrogated him, the man left the hospital.

The detectives then checked up with the doctors who confirmed that the injuries on the child appeared to be “consistent with being submerged in scalding water.”

Speaking about the incident, Sheriff Chad Chronister said, “I am sickened by the thought of someone intentionally hurting a young child. Christopher Reddick’s actions could scar this child for life, both mentally and physically. It is so important for parents to be careful with who they allow to care for their children. We cannot and will not allow people to harm the most innocent members of our society.”

The accused was taken into custody Wednesday and charged with one count each of child abuse and child neglect. He was being held in the Hillsborough County Jail on a $25,000 bond.