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10-month-old put into scalding water, police say; mother faces charges

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By Lucas Sullivan, Staff Writer 12:01 AM Friday, September 18, 2009

DAYTON — A 20-year-old pregnant mother has been charged with one count of third-degree felony child endangering after police said she placed her 10-month-old daughter in 140-degree bath water.

Donnishia Peterson was questioned by officers about 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16, after the child was placed in the bath at 3709 E. Cornell Woods Drive, police said.

The child suffered second-degree burns on her legs and feet — skin peeling off her toes, police said. Officers responding to Dayton Children’s Medical Center said the child was in such bad shape that they, too, became emotional.

Peterson told officers that a fan she was using to dry carpet fell on her daughter and caused the burns, police said. Investigators said based on statements by medical experts, Peterson’s story is not credible.

“She wouldn’t come off that story, though,” Dayton Sgt. Judy Abshire said.

Doctors said the infant obtained the burns by “submersion,” said Ann Stevens, Montgomery County Department of Jobs and Family Services spokeswoman.

Police were not sure if Peterson, who is nearly nine months pregnant, checked the water before placing the infant in it, Abshire said. It was also unclear why the water was so hot.

The infant is expected to recover, Abshire said.

Children services is investigating and has no prior cases involving Peterson or her daughter, Stevens said. The infant will be placed with a relative or in foster care once she’s released, Stevens said.

A court date for Peterson has not been set.

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