PORT RICHEY — Chekayla Ariel Dampier is a young, new mother and, on Monday afternoon, her 7-week-old son wouldn't stop crying. The 18-year-old was frustrated, a Pasco sheriff's report states, so she punished the infant by holding his head under running hot water until his skin started "coming off and other parts of his skin were 'bubbling.' "
The baby, Emilio Jesus Bautista, sustained severe burns to his head, chest and arms, as well as second-degree burns to his eyes and ears, the Sheriff's Office said. A report states the abuse happened at 1 p.m.; Dampier brought him to Morton Plant North Bay Hospital in New Port Richey at 10 p.m. The baby was then flown to Tampa General Hospital, where, according to authorities, "the infant's burns on his chest caused his left nipple to pull off when his shirt was removed."
He remained at Tampa General on Wednesday in critical condition.
more