Mom, Boyfriend who Poured Hot Water Over 6-Year-Old Daughter, Arrested

A 6-year-old child, who had hot water poured over her by unfit parents, is recovering at the Arnold Palmer Hospital tonight. The child sustained 3rd degree burns covering 30 percent of her body, police said.

Yadzia I. Morales, 32, and her boyfriend, Roberto Junior Lopez, 20, were taken into custody on Monday night, charged with aggravated child abuse and child neglect.

The child told investigators when they arrived at the house around 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday, that her mother and the mother’s boyfriend, poured hot water on her as a form of punishment.

St. Cloud police say, the pair subsequently confessed and told investigators they heated a large bowl of water in the microwave for approximately two minutes, then forced the child to stand in the shower, while they poured the water on her.

Morales and Lopez have been charged with aggravated child abuse, child neglect causing great bodily harm and aggravated battery and domestic violence.  

Both were booked into the Osceola County Jail and are being held with no bond.