A Lakeland man charged with aggravated child abuse after an 18-month-old was discovered to have multiple burn marks.
On Oct. 13, at about 6:00 p.m., Winter Haven PD received a call from the Winter Haven Hospital Emergency Room staff about a possible child abuse case.
The child had suspected burns from a liquid to the upper face, forehead and left ear.
Police say Mitchell David Rich was the only person taking care of the child while the mother was at work. When the child's grandmother arrived to pick the child up, she saw redness, blistering and peeling on the face and head.
Rich claimed the injuries were a reaction to children's liquid bathing soap or skin cream.
The child was ultimately transported to Tampa General, where a doctor's report concluded that injuries were consistent with liquid burn, possibly from a scalding liquid.
While investigators were unable to conclude how the child's head came into contact with a hot liquid, Rich's story was not consistent with the medical opinion.
Detectives ultimately arrested Rich after more questioning and charged him with aggravated child abuse.
He is currently on felony probation for robbery charges.
