Saturday, February 25, 2012
A mother who seriously injured her 18-month-old daughter by plunging her arm into hot water for being untidy with her toys got a three-year suspended jail sentence yesterday.
The infant’s right arm was maimed when the defendant forced it into hot water in a fit of temper because the child was throwing toys around the kitchen as her mother tidied.
The child, now 6, has had a number of skin grafts to her right hand. It had previously emerged that despite treatment she will remain maimed for life.
"You caused serious harm to your young daughter, who was 18 months old at the time, with very unpleasant consequences for the child," Judge Patrick J Moran said, adding that the father now looks after the child.
"The offence with which you are charged is one which on the face of it demands the imposition of a custodial sentence. I take into consideration your young age at the time and your inability to deal with your problems," he said.
The three-year sentence was suspended on condition she abide by the directions of the probation service
The mother pleaded guilty to intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to her daughter at their Cork home on Nov 1, 2006.
Sergeant John O’Leary said the child was playing in the kitchen while her mother was trying to clean. The mother became upset at the child repeatedly un-tidying the room by throwing around toys.
"There was a bucket of hot water on the floor. She placed her daughter’s hand in the hot water for a time," the sergeant said.
The mother phoned for medical help, saying she had accidentally spilled water from a kettle on her daughter’s hand. She was told to run cold water over it and wait for an ambulance.
The plastic surgeon did not believe the injury was caused by boiling water spilling from a kettle as this would not have explained the severity of the injury.
Parties cannot be identified for legal reasons.
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