Baby Burned During Diaper Change | ABC30 Fresno

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By ABC30

Sunday, November 15, 2009

FRESNO, Calif. Clovis police say 28-year-old Jason Valencia was at a relative's apartment in Clovis Friday when he used scalding hot water to clean up his infant daughter.

Investigators said the baby girl suffered second degree burns on her legs, buttocks and groin area.

Valencia was arrested for felony child endangerment.

Police say the baby's mother, 23-year-old Nicole Aguilar could also face charges, but her family members say she's a good mother.

"There could be another complaint filed against the mother in this for the time delay in getting any kind of medical attention to the child," said Janet Stoll-Lee with the Clovis Police Department.

"What was the time delay?"

"Approximately five hours."

Aguilar's family defends her, saying she is a good mother. "Nicole, I don't think she should be blamed for whatever happened, because she really didn't know anything about it."

The baby was taken to the burn unit at Community Regional Medical Center in serious condition, but she has improved to fair condition Saturday night.

Police are not saying whether or not her burns were caused by accident, only that there was enough evidence to arrest the baby's father on felony charges.

Child protective services have placed her four-year-old son in the custody of another relative until their investigation is complete.

Aguilar and Valencia are engaged to be married.