Dad Confesses To Burning Baby In Microwave
GALVESTON, Texas -- A 19-year-old was arrested and charged after police said his 2-month-old daughter was burned when he placed her in a microwave, KPRC Local 2 reported Wednesday.
Joshua Mauldin, of Arkansas, has been charged with injury to a child causing serious harm. He is in the Galveston County jail with bond set at $250,000. At Shriners Burns Hospital on Tuesday, doctors treated internal injuries and third-degree burns the infant suffered to the left side of her face and left hand. She is listed in critical condition.
Maudlin arrived at the Quality Inn & Suites on Seawall Boulevard in Galveston last week along with the baby, his wife and mother. He called 911 on Thursday, saying that his baby had been burned in the hotel room when he tripped while carrying a pot of hot water to make coffee. But police Sgt. Annie Almendarez said investigators later decided the child's injuries were not consistent with that story.
She said investigators believe the child was in the microwave for 10 to 20 seconds."I've been doing this for a lot of years and it actually brought tears to my eyes," Almendarez said. "I'm sitting there looking at the pictures and I'm sitting there looking at him and there's nothing I could really do about it but just keep my composure and go on."Detectives said Mauldin later confessed to putting his daughter in the microwave and said he was frustrated by the demands of caring for her. He said he wanted to get rid of the stress of caring for her."When we brought him in, he was -- every day -- there was no expression, no expression at all -- no remorse," Almendarez said.
At the time the child was injured, her mother and Mauldin's mother were picking up dinner at a nearby restaurant. According to police reports, Mauldin told investigators God ordered him to go to Galveston to look for work as a minister.If convicted, Mauldin could receive a prison term of five to 99 years, as well as a fine of up to $10,000.Doctors said they expect the baby to survive. However, the long-term ramifications are not known.
Copyright 2007 by Click2Houston.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Joshua Mauldin, of Arkansas, has been charged with injury to a child causing serious harm. He is in the Galveston County jail with bond set at $250,000. At Shriners Burns Hospital on Tuesday, doctors treated internal injuries and third-degree burns the infant suffered to the left side of her face and left hand. She is listed in critical condition.
She said investigators believe the child was in the microwave for 10 to 20 seconds."I've been doing this for a lot of years and it actually brought tears to my eyes," Almendarez said. "I'm sitting there looking at the pictures and I'm sitting there looking at him and there's nothing I could really do about it but just keep my composure and go on."Detectives said Mauldin later confessed to putting his daughter in the microwave and said he was frustrated by the demands of caring for her. He said he wanted to get rid of the stress of caring for her."When we brought him in, he was -- every day -- there was no expression, no expression at all -- no remorse," Almendarez said.
At the time the child was injured, her mother and Mauldin's mother were picking up dinner at a nearby restaurant. According to police reports, Mauldin told investigators God ordered him to go to Galveston to look for work as a minister.If convicted, Mauldin could receive a prison term of five to 99 years, as well as a fine of up to $10,000.Doctors said they expect the baby to survive. However, the long-term ramifications are not known.
Copyright 2007 by Click2Houston.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
