Last month, Common Pleas Judge Michael Krumholtz sentenced William Lindsey, 28, to 10 and a half years in prison. Lindsey was found guilty of scalding his 2-year-old stepson Kaeden Ashburn at a Centerville apartment on Loganwood Drive in April 2017.
The boy was severely burned after Lindsey put the child in the bathtub after the child defecated through his clothing, according to court documents.
MORE: Man convicted of scalding toddler sentenced to 10 years
“Kaeden was taken to Dayton Children’s Hospital and eventually to the Nationwide Burn Center in Columbus with burn injuries to over 80 to 90 percent of his body,” Krumholtz explained at Lindsey’s sentencing.
The judge added that the young child now has a serious heart condition related to the burn injuries and considers himself “ugly” because of the damage to his skin, adding that “Kaeden will face additional surgeries and skin graphs” for the rest of his life.
Jessica Yane, a victim advocate with the Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office, heard from many people wanting to help and explained that a GoFundMe account has been set up to help Kaeden make it through the tough road he has to travel.
An unauthorized account was set up without the family’s knowledge and is not where donations should be sent, Yane said.
"Kaeden's mother made it clear to me that this account, GoFundMe.com/kaedenthemiraclewarrior , is the only GoFundMe set up for Kaeden," Yane said. "She said she found online that someone else had started a different account without her knowledge or permission, and no one has ever said anything to her about it or the money collected in regards to that account."
MORE: 2-year-old burn victim’s family: ‘We want him to pull through this’
Yane added that the official GoFundMe account for Kaeden includes a picture of the child’s face since he was harmed.
Janet Myers is a grandmother who lives in Vandalia. She said her heart was broken after learning of Kaeden’s fate.
“I’m sick to my stomach and fighting back tears,” Myers explained.
She added, “I’m a grandmother with one lucky 10-year-old grandson who has a great life with people who love him. I can’t imagine the physical and emotional pain and damage this boy has endured. No child should have to experience this or be faced with these lifelong consequences.”
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