MARION, Ohio (WSYX-WTTE) — A Marion toddler is being treated for second- and third-degree burns at Nationwide Children’s Hospital after he was scalded in a bathroom toilet at his home.
Parker Rinehart , age 2, and his brother, age 3, were horse-playing on Monday evening when Parker was pushed into the toilet. His brother flushed it. The toilet is hooked up to the home’s hot water heater in the basement. The boys’ mother, Kelsey Bollinger, said she had reported the problem to the landlord multiple times — but says he did not fix it. The temperature setting on the hot water tank reads 150 degrees.
The Marion Health Department issued an abatement order late Tuesday, saying the landlord must fix the plumbing within 48 hours. There are also electrical problems at the home on Edgewood Drive, and those have been ordered to be repaired within 72 hours.
The Marion Police Department is investigating. Lt. Chris Atkins says he doesn’t expect criminal charges against the caregiver, Matt Henderson. Atkins confirmed the water in the toilet was hot enough to burn skin. Children’s Services is also investigating the case.
Bollinger is upset about what happened and said the landlord should be held accountable. “It could have been stopped from the get go. this shouldn’t have happened,” said Bollinger. “Every time I look at him it just makes me want to cry all over again. Parker Is my baby, it is just not something that should ever happened to him. No two year old should have to be that miserable , that hurt , and feel that pain ever.”
Bollinger said she was at work as a nurse’s aide when the accident happened. Her boyfriend, Henderson, said he was downstairs when he heard screaming from the boys.
“I was at home by myself with the kids , no car, did not know if I should call the ambulance or not. I was freaking out. I grabbed some gauze and Neosporin. I never heard him cry, he just kept saying ‘Ouch, ouch , ouch !,’ for like an hour straight. I didn’t know what to do. I just wanted to hold him.”
Henderson said the toddlers are like best friends to him.
Bollinger said she had just purchased Buzz Lightyear Halloween costumes for her children. Now, they’re disappointed because they will be unable to to trick or treating.
According to the Burn Foundation, most adults will suffer third-degree burns if exposed to 150 water for two seconds.
Source: fox17
Toddler Scalded by 150 Degree Toilet Water
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