A Mobile woman is facing child abuse charges Wednesday after allegedly putting the arms of her one-year-old granddaughter into boiling water.
Jacqueline Johnson, 46, is charged with aggravated child abuse for the alleged May 31 incident, according to the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office.
The child suffered second degree burns while Johnson reportedly waited almost five hours before seeking medical attention, said MCSO. Law enforcement said the child suffered burns and significant skin loss, later requiring two skin grafts. Johnson told officers she was attempting to wash the child’s hands at the time, but MCSO investigators believe she may have been trying to discipline the child.
Lt. Keith Miller of the MCSO said Johnson was babysitting at the time of the alleged abuse.
“I mean you’re talking about a one year-old and I mean basically the skin being taken off from the elbow to the hand. It’s just horrendous. This child will be permanently scarred, potentially permanently disabled [with] loss of use of either both or one of her hands. It’s inexcusable.”
Johnson was booked in to the Mobile Metro Jail just after 4 p.m.