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James Clark is accused of holding an 8-month-old baby’s hand under hot water, causing burns so bad the skin needed skin grafting, cops in Hillsborough County, Florida say. (Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office)
A Florida man is behind bars for abusing a baby in a case law enforcement authorities described as “sickening” and “indescribable.”
James Clark, 33, is facing charges of aggravated child abuse, child abuse and child neglect, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said.
“The magnitude of this case is indescribable; the thought that someone could inflict such harm on a defenseless eight-month-old baby is sickening,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said Friday in a statement. “We are disgusted by this man’s actions and will ensure that he is held accountable for his cruelty. We’re committed to making sure every child is secure and protected.”
The alleged abuse occurred on Feb. 18 when the mother left Clark in charge of her 8-month-old baby while she went to work. About 90 minutes later, Clark called the mother and claimed the baby suffered burns on their hand while reaching into a cup of hot chocolate.
After coming home, the mom realized her baby suffered severe injuries throughout the body to include bruising, a skull fracture and “a severe immersion burn” to the left hand, according to the probable cause arrest affidavit.
She then immediately rushed the baby to the hospital. The baby’s name and gender is redacted from the report.
In an interview with detectives, Clark denied hitting the victim or causing any other injury. He said the burn to the hand came from when the baby put their hand in a pot of hot water for hot chocolate.
But an examination by the Child Protection Team showed otherwise. They determined injuries to the ear and face came from “high velocity force/strikes,” the affidavit said. The burns to the baby’s allegedly came from Clark “intentionally” holding the hand in a hot liquid “causing significant deep partial thickness burns that require skin grafting.”
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Two other children in the home told investigators that the baby “got hurt” and received a “whooping” from Clark, the affidavit said. They said the victim was “going crazy” before being injured.
Deputies arrested Clark on Thursday and took him to the Hillsborough County Jail where he remains without bond. His next court hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.
