An Idaho father has been arrested and charged with serious felonies after allegedly pouring scalding hot water on his one-month-old baby son because the infant was cold, according to court documents and police reports. The disturbing incident resulted in widespread burns covering approximately a quarter of the child's body.
Severe Burns and Hospitalisation
Christopher Stum, a 34-year-old single father from Idaho, told authorities he poured the hot water to warm his son during a bath. The child subsequently suffered second-degree burns to 25% of his body and required urgent emergency medical treatment at the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Centre.
Medical assessments indicate the extensive nature of the injuries suggests the baby could have been exposed to water reaching temperatures between 130 and 150 degrees Fahrenheit. Stum described witnessing his son's skin rapidly turning red and beginning to peel before they left their home for the hospital.
Father's Admission and Evidence Tampering
According to court records examined by East Idaho News, Stum initially told police officers he had tested the water beforehand and believed it was hot but not painfully so. However, he later confessed this statement was false.
Stum admitted he actually found the water to be scalding and had lied to avoid appearing negligent. Furthermore, police investigations revealed Stum adjusted his water heater to 121 degrees Fahrenheit before rushing to the hospital, leading to an additional charge for destruction, alteration or concealment of evidence.
Arrest and Legal Proceedings
The 34-year-old was arrested on January 22 following police interviews at the medical centre. He now faces two felony counts: one for injury to a child and another for the evidence tampering. A preliminary hearing in the case is scheduled for February 11.
Court documents detail that Stum attempted "air drying" his baby before collecting the searingly hot liquid in a pitcher and pouring it over his son. The Bonneville County Sheriff's Office has been contacted for further comment regarding the ongoing investigation.
Safe Bathing Guidelines for Newborns
This tragic case highlights the critical importance of following safe bathing practices for infants. The Mayo Clinic provides clear guidelines stating newborns should typically be washed around three times weekly using water at approximately 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
Their recommendations also specify that only about two inches of water should be used in a baby's bath, and a child should never be left unattended in a tub, not even momentarily. Proper temperature testing and constant supervision remain essential components of infant care and safety.
