Background: The neighborhood on Barks Drive in Fort Walton Beach, Fla. (Google Maps). Inset: Jeny Soto-Duenas (Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office).
The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office shared details on Facebook, revealing that 52-year-old Jeny Soto-Duenas faces charges of child neglect resulting in great bodily harm. The troubling events transpired in the early hours of Tuesday at a trailer home in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, where Soto-Duenas was looking after the children, ages 3 and 5.
A family member reported to authorities that Soto-Duenas had allegedly confessed to deliberately burning the children by pressing their hands onto a hot griddle. This shocking act, according to police, was in response to the children’s request for more food after they had already eaten.
The children were taken to a hospital in Florida on Tuesday evening with “severe untreated burns” on their palms. During discussions with the relative, Soto-Duenas allegedly admitted her frustration with the children led her to this extreme action. She reportedly did not seek medical attention for the burns, leaving the injuries unattended.
The severity of the injuries necessitated further medical care, leading to the children being transferred to a specialized burn center in Alabama. They suffered second- and third-degree burns, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
The alleged incident caused second- and third-degree burns to the children’s palms. They were both taken to a burn center in Alabama for further treatment.
Soto-Duenas was arrested on Wednesday. She is being held without bail at Okaloosa County Jail. The sheriff’s office also noted that she was on an ICE hold.
