A New London mother is facing charges after her 20-month-old baby boy was severely burned in the bathtub, police said.
Police arrested Elizabeth Mendez-Marchany, 43, of New London, on assault and risk of injury to a minor charges on Oct. 27 at 2:35 p.m.
New London police responded to Mendez-Marchany's Bristol Street home on Sept. 20 to investigate a report of a 20-month-old baby having trouble breathing. New London firefighters also responded and discovered her baby had severe burns, police said.
Mendez-Marchany admitted to police that she put her baby boy in the bathtub and left the baby alone while the water was still running. The baby was severely burned because of being in the hot water for a long time, police said.
Her neighbor, Jenna Connelly said she couldn't fathom the news.
"It's absolutely disgusting," she said. "You should never ever leave a baby unattended."
Another neighbor, Bill Heaton said the incident was "unreal."
Local
"It (the water) had to be scorching. It's a shame to even think about it," he said. "You need a parent there. You need some kind of supervision there.... I would hope it's not intentional. I can't imagine a parent doing that to a child.... To allow something like that to happen, what kind of a parent, you know, could you be?"
Police said Mendez-Marchany's initial statement was inconsistent with the injuries of the child, according to doctors.
They charged her with assault, risk of injury to a minor and providing a false statement to police.
The Department of Children and Families is also investigating.
Police have not released information on the condition of the baby or where he is now.
Officers are holding Mendez-Marchany in police custody on a $150,000 court-set bond. Unless she makes bond, she will be brought to New London Superior Court on Wednesday.
