http://www.newsnet5.com/news/13331818/detail.htmlPolice: Dad Burns Baby In Microwave
Officials Say Man Confessed
POSTED: 1:42 pm EDT May 16, 2007
GALVESTON, Texas -- A 19-year-old has been charged with injury to a child after police said his 2-month-old daughter was burned when he placed her in a microwave.
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 a Galveston hotel 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.
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.
