Custodial dad held 23-month-old son in nearly boiling water (Victoria, Australia)

Dad SCH CHI MOK has been found guilty of seriously burning his 23-month-old son by holding him near boiling water. He then delayed medical treatment. For all that, he gets about 20 months in jail.

Notice that this is a CUSTODIAL father--he is not married to the boy's mother. In fact, there is no mention of the boy's mother. And the boy is now in the care of the grandmother (paternal? maternal?). So whatever happened to this little boy's mom? Not one word. Erased. Gone.

INVISIBLE MOTHER ALERT.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news/father-held-toddler-in-hold-water/story-fn7x8me2-1226028356747

Father held toddler in near-boiling water
Wayne Flower
From: Herald Sun
March 26, 2011 12:00AM

A FATHER who seriously burnt his 23-month-old son in a bath and sent him to bed without treatment has been sentenced to at least 20 months in jail.

Sch Chi Mok, 21, was found guilty by a County Court jury of negligently causing serious injury to his son Max by holding him in near boiling water on New Year's Day, 2009.

The court heard Mok, who was 19 at the time, caused horrific burns to the toddler's feet and buttocks before covering up his wounds and putting him to bed.

The child was taken to hospital the following afternoon when Mok's wife - who is not the child's biological mother - discovered the injuries.

Mok told hospital staff his son had been scalded when hot water fell off a stove.

But experts said the injuries were inconsistent with an accidental scalding but in keeping with deliberate submerging in hot water.

Mok, who migrated to Australia from China as a 13-year-old, pleaded not guilty to intentionally, recklessly and negligently causing serious injury.

Judge Carolyn Douglas condemned Mok for not immediately taking his child to hospital and his repeated denial of the facts.

"I sentence you on the basis you have shown little remorse," she said on Tuesday.

"There is no explanation before the court why you deliberately held Max in the hot water and why you delayed seeking medical treatment as you maintain Max did not present as distressed at any stage."

Mok was given a maximum jail sentence of three years.

The child remains in the care of his grandmother.