Florida man charged after baby left in scalding water

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A father in Kissimmee, Florida, faces charges after he allegedly left his 10-month-old child in scalding hot water, WESH reports.

According to Kissimmee police, Jaquavis Allen, 23, gave his son a bath on Monday night after the child soiled his diaper. According to Allen, he put the infant in the sink, left the water running to retrieve a towel and came back to find the boy with burns because the water was too hot.

Allen claims it was an accident, but police said the boy suffered second-degree burns, suggesting that the infant was put in water above 120 degrees and left unattended for about two minutes.

“The child could have fallen out of the sink and hit his head on the floor. It could have been a lot worse,” said Stacie Miller of the Kissimmee Police Department, to WESH.

Allen’s mother defended his son and told the judge, “He’s been taking care of his kids since day one,” WESH reports. She requested that Allen be released on his own recognizance, according to WESH.

The judge turned down the request and Allen was charged with child neglect with great bodily injury. He is being held in lieu of$2,500 bond.

The child was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center and was released Wednesday night, according to a spokeswoman with the Florida Department of Children and Families.

A 2-year-old was also taken from the home and handed over to relatives. Police are still investigating the incident.