Hand of boy, 2, scalded; father jailed

By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.

jgoodwin@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

Photo

Van Barnette

A city man is in Mahoning County jail accused of scalding his child’s hand after a soiled-diaper incident.

Van Barnette, 31, of Broadway Street, appeared Monday before Judge Elizabeth Kobly of Youngstown Municipal Court on felony charges of child endangering. Judge Kobly set a March 30 preliminary hearing date.

Police were called Friday to St. Elizabeth Health Center after Barnette and the child’s mother brought the 2-year-old boy to the emergency room with second-degree burns to his hand. Police observed the child’s hand to be red. They watched as a doctor applied ointment and wrapped the hand.

According to police, Barnette said he and the child were home alone when the child dirtied his diaper and got some fecal matter on his hands. Police said Barnette told officers he washed the child’s hands in warm water and dishwashing detergent.

The child’s mother returned home and noticed the child’s hands to be red and the child crying, so a decision was made to take the child to the emergency room. The mother and Barnette told authorities they believe the redness was caused by an allergic reaction to the soap used to wash his hands.

Police reports say the child’s injuries were inconsistent with the account given to hospital and police officials.

Prosecutors told the court that Barnette has a prior child-endangering charge as well as charges for receiving stolen property, forgery, domestic violence and child-support issues.

Atty. A. Ross Douglass, representing Barnette, asked the judge to release Barnette on his own recognizance. He said Barnette has three children and one on the way and plans to marry in August.

Judge Kobly set bond at $15,000 and ordered Barnette to have no contact with the injured child.