Police: Hempstead woman left 2-year-old nephew in scalding bath

A Hempstead woman is accused of putting her 2-year-old nephew into a bathtub with boiling hot water, causing him to get severely burned.

Prosecutors say 19-year-old Yenci Lopez was babysitting her sister's 2-year-old and 7 year-old children Sunday when she put the 2-year-old in the scalding hot water.

They say it happened at the woman's home on Kane Avenue.

Officials say Lopez walked away from the tub, despite the child's screams.

Court paperwork shows the child was burned so badly he had boils, blisters and charred skin that burned more than 20% of his body.

Instead of helping him, Lopez allegedly took the 2-year-old to a birthday party at a nearby house where partygoers saw the child's condition getting worse.

Lopez is charged with reckless assault of a child, assault, and endangering the welfare of a child.

Prosecutors say Lopez is the "long-term day care provider" of her cousin's children.



During Lopez’s arraignment, prosecutors said she doesn't have any priors.

Lopez's lawyer said it was a horrible accident and a misunderstanding, and that Lopez expressed her extreme remorse.

The judge set bail at $50,000 bond and signed an order of protection, telling Lopez "don't go near the child."

The 2-year-old is being treated for second-degree burns at the burn unit at Nassau University Medical Center.

Family members declined to talk to reporters at the hospital.