Dad sentenced to 35 years for pouring boiling water on 2-year-old son (Nacogdoches, Texas)

Dad is identified as ANTHONY WATTS. No mention here of a mother in the home.

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http://www.cbs19.tv/story/17093467/father-sentenced-to-35-years-for-burning-his-son

Father sentenced to 35 years in prison for burning his son
Posted: Mar 06, 2012 3:03 PM CST
Updated: Mar 06, 2012 3:03 PM CST

NACOGDOCHES (KYTX) -- A Nacogdoches man has been sentenced to 35 years in prison for pouring boiling water on his 2-year-old son.

Anthony Watts was sentenced on Monday by District Judge Ed Klein following a pre-sentence investigation.

March 2010, Watts was at his Eastwood Terrace apartment allegedly giving his son a bath. It ended with the child burned over 80 percent of his body. Specialists in Houston and Galveston burn hospitals kept him alive.

Police testified in January that they were at the hospital emergency room when they saw the baby's skin peel off onto the bed. One officer testified the baby wouldn't lay still and it appeared to him that the child was writhing in pain.

Watts eventually admitted pouring a pot of near boiling water over the child.

Watts pleaded guilty to felony injury to child in January over the 2010 incident that left ZaTaurean Pleasant critically hurt.

Court testimony indicates Watts has a diminished mental capacity. Prosecutors say Watts was under the influence of marijuana when the child was burned over 70 percent of his body.

Doctors say the boy, now 4 years old, has scars but has grown into a healthy child.