LA CROSSE, Wis. (WKBT) — A La Crosse man was in court this week after he was accused of causing cigarette burns to the torso of an 8-month-old infant.
Kevin M. Mulcahy, 26, was charged Wednesday in La Crosse County Circuit Court with neglecting a child causing bodily harm, two counts of operating a motor vehicle while revoked and two counts of misdemeanor bail jumping.
According to the criminal complaint, a doctor found suspicious burns on the baby April 16 during a routine visit in which the baby was scheduled to receive vaccinations and called Child Protective Services.
There were two injuries to the back left calf area that were about the size and shape of a nickel and a third on the chest that was 1-2 inches long and half an inch wide, according to the report. The doctor told police they were healed and permanent scars.
Mulcahy told police he was alone with the child and cooking dinner while smoking a cigarette when the injuries occurred. He said he had put the infant on the bed in order to cook and she fell off. He immediately went to pick her up and the lighter brushed up against her leg and shoulder, according to the report. Mulcahy told police it was an accident and he didn’t initially notice that the child was injured. The child’s mother put ointment on the burns later that night after she returned home and saw the injuries.
Police say the burns are too large and oddly shaped for the burns to come from a typical Bic lighter.
Mulcahy is also facing charges of driving after his license was revoked due to an alcohol-related offense and violating terms of his bond forbidding him from committing new crimes.
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