By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
Irene Martin, a 37-year-old woman and day care provider, made her first appearance in Hendricks County Court after she was charged with child abuse. Martin was formally charged with 3 felonies of battery and neglect of a child due to an incident that happened at her home, which she runs at a day care.
The incident occurred on October 15, 2010. It was reported that Martin originally told police that Corbin Hutchinson, a two-and-a-half-year-old under Martin’s care, fell into a bathtub. However, Martin later changed her story, telling police she was bathing Martin after he had gotten urine on himself because he was being potty trained. Martin said she took Corbin to the utility sink her home garage to wash him off. She left Corbin unattended to go get a change of clothes for the toddler when she heard Corbin crying, she told him to remain in the sink. When Martin returned to the garage she noticed steam coming off the water, she then turned off the hot water and continued to let the cold water run. The child remained in the sink during this time and for several minutes after. Again, Martin left Corbin in the sink and eventually returned to change him. While she was changing him she noticed severe burns on Corbin’s back, groin, buttocks and legs. Martin also told police she phoned telephone members first to inform them about the accident, more than an hour later she called the police. Martin also confessed to police that she was neglectful and only thought about herself after the injury occurred.
Corbin was taken to a local hospital and then was transported to Riley’s Burn. According to his let check-up, he is still being treated for the burns.
Martin has no criminal record and entered into a not guilty plea. She is scheduled to go in front of a jury sometime in January. Ms. Martin will be entitled to defend herself against these criminal charges through an Indiana criminal defense attorney or a public defender. If you would like to read more on this incident please see Indiana day care owner charged with child abuse after toddler sustains severe burns.
Day care owners have a duty to care for and protect the children under the care. Parents instill a tremendous amount of trust in day care centers and its employees and providers to care for their children when they cannot. This a duty that should be given paramount importance and never neglected.