KALAMAZOO (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - Newschannel 3 is learning new information about a child abuse investigation in Kalamazoo. We first told you about this Thursday night. Police found a two-year old with third degree burns on the bottom half of her body.
Officers arrested the mother's boyfriend when they arrived at the home on Interfaith Boulevard Thursday afternoon.
The 21-year old boyfriend was formally charged in Kalamazoo County court late Friday afternoon. Newschannel 3 also learned more about what police believe happened to the little girl.
"I need to know what happened and how it happened," said the victim's aunt, Brittany.
The two-year-old's aunt says her little niece is sedated at the hospital Friday night. Police believe little Timberly Ross was scalded in bathwater pushing 130 degrees.
"She has third degree burns on her feet, her back is severely burned and her legs are burned," said Brittany.
Prosecutors believe 21-year old Tyson Pratt was in charge of watching his girlfriend's daughter Thursday. That's when he failed to check the water temperature before putting the girl in the tub.
"My sister wasn't home, so she can't tell me. I hope to get some answers for my nieces sake," said Brittany.
One neighbor we talked to tells Newschannel 3 she believes it all was an accident. That Pratt wouldn't harm the child on purpose.
"This was a big happy family. That was a simple mistake, could happen to anyone," said one neighbor.
Still, the second degree charge isn't the only one. Investigators are also charging Pratt of using a belt to whip the two year old as discipline during potty training just a few days earlier.
The defendant Friday addressed the bathtub issues, saying the girl slipped out of his hands. Pratts bond was set at $100,000.
Reply With Quote
2 Member(s) thanked for this post
Originally Posted by ~Absynthe~
Bookmarks