By Robert Chaiken, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
An 18-month-old girl of San Antonio, Texas, is recovering from second- and third-degree burns she sustained while she was taking a bath. According to the arrest warrant, the girl’s 18-year-old babysitter, Juan Valentine Castillo, left the toddler unattended in the bathtub. Castillo claims that while unattended the little girl turned on the hot water and burned herself. Castillo has been arrested and charged with “injury to a child — assault — serious bodily injury,” and remains in jail with a $65,000 bond. Child Protective Services began to investigate the case after the toddler was transported to Christus Santa Rosa Hospital by her foster parents. The victim was eventually transported to University Hospital due to the severity of her burns. The arrest warrant reveals that doctors diagnosed the child with immersion burns and showed signs of abuse. Castillo told police he was the only person caring for the child at the time of the incident and claimed she adjusted he water setting on her own. Castillo was initially taken into custody on outstanding warrants for drug possession and assault. For more details see 18-month-old girl sustains second- and third-degree burns from bath water, babysitter arrested and charged with injury to a child.
Castillo is entitled to an attorney and to defend himself against the charges pressed. Regardless of the presence of abuse in this terrible incident the lesson here is simple: child supervision is critical. Infants, toddlers and children are unaware of the dangers around them. It is therefore the responsibility of parents, guardians, child care providers and babysitters to protect children from personal injuries the children do not know exist. The best method of prevention is constant and incessant supervision.