Dad charged with child abuse for burn injuries suffered by 6-year-old daughter (Lenox Township, Michigan)

Dad MAJD MOHAMMAD AL-SHARA has been charged with 2nd-degree child abuse after his 6-year-old daughter suffered burns to 90-100% of her body. The local sheriff labels the incident as "beyond an accident" in terms of negligence.

Where was the mother in all this? Is there a mother in this home?

INVISIBLE MOTHER ALERT.

http://www.dailytribune.com/articles/2010/09/22/news/doc4c9a3194d86a2013605086.txt

Burned Macomb County girl's father charged with child abuse
Published: Wednesday, September 22, 2010

By Mitch Hotts
Daily Tribune Staff Writer

Sheriff: This was beyond an accident

A Lenox Township man whose 6-year-old daughter was burned in a pit fire is in jail today after he was charged with child abuse in connection with the incident, according to the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office.

Majd Mohammad Al-Shara, 40, is being held in Macomb County Jail on a $10,000 bond after he was arraigned in 42-2 District Court in New Baltimore. A preliminary exam is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Oct. 10 in court.

“She still is in extremely bad shape,” Sheriff Mark Hackel said Tuesday. “This case was very disturbing to us as it looks like the father was neglectful in having his 6-year-old child that close to such a dangerous situation. To us, this was beyond an accident.”

Al-Shara was charged with second-degree child abuse, which is punishable by up to four years in prison, for the Sunday afternoon incident that gravely injured his daughter at the Quail Run mobile home park.

According to police, Al-Shara and the girl were sitting around a campfire outside their home on Deerwood Street when he allegedly used a mix of gasoline and possibly oil to fuel the fire.

It appears the liquid splashed onto the youngster, who was sitting a few feet away. The dangerous mix of chemicals caused an explosion that sent flames leaping out to both the girl and her father.

As the girl began screaming, a number of neighbors rushed over to help, using clothing, blankets and a chair cushion to douse the fire as Lenox Township fire crews were on their way.

The father, who suffered less serious burns, was treated at a hospital and released.

The girl suffered burns to 90 to 100 percent of her body, Hackel said. She is reported to be in stable but critical condition at Children’s Hospital of Michigan in Detroit.

Sheriff’s Capt. Tony Wickersham said state child protective services have been notified and likely will conduct their own investigation. Al-Shara has at least one other daughter who lives at the family home.

“We felt his actions rose to a criminal level and the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office agreed as they authorized an arrest warrant. We are saying his actions were reckless and resulted in serious injuries to his daughter,” Wickersham said.