Dad charged with homicide in death of 1-year-old son (Little Rock, Arkansas)

Dad is identified as JOSEPH JOHNSON SR.

http://www.thv11.com/news/article/286452/2/1-year-old-dies-of-severe-water-burns-father-in-custody

Little Rock 1-year-old dies of severe water burns; father in custody

8:05 PM, Nov 8, 2013

Jessica Johnson

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) - According to a Little Rock police report, a man has been charged with homicide after his 1-year-old child was severely burned by hot water.

Police narrative shows that 1-year-old Joseph Johnson Jr. had 40 to 50 percent of his body covered in second and third degree burns when a Little Rock officer arrived at a home on Chimney Rock Place to assist MEMS not long after 9 p.m. on June 6 of this year. The child's father, Joseph Johnson Sr., told police he was unaware that the temperature of the water was too hot, according to the narrative.

"...He said he was by himself with Joseph at the residence and it was his first time to give Joseph a bath because he is always working, so he wanted to help out his wife," the narrative read. Police said the child was flown to Arkansas Children's Hospital where he later died.

Though it initially appeared to officers as an accident, it was reported to the child abuse hotline. Lt. Sidney Allen with the Little Rock Police Department said that later, the medical examiner determined that the injuries to the child were intentional.

According to Lt. Allen, the child's death was ruled a homicide and Johnson Sr. turned himself in Thursday night after learning there was a warrant for his arrest. Lt. Allen said he was arrested and charged with homicide.