UPDATE:
The Plainfield daycare provider accused of child abuse made her initial appearance in Hendricks County Court Thursday.
37 year old Irene Martin was visibly shaken as she exited the courthouse accompanied by her husband and attorney.
Martin was formally charged with 3 felonies of battery and neglect of a child.
This all happened Friday the 15th at Martin’s home where she runs a daycare.
According to court documents, Martin originally told police that 2 ½ year old Corbin Hutchinson had fallen into a tub, but then changed her story saying the boy was being potty trained and had gotten urine on himself.
Martin said she took the child to a utility sink in her garage and began to wash him off.
She left him to get a change of clothes.
Martin began to hear Corbin crying, but she told him to remain in the sink.
When she returned to the garage she noticed steam was coming from the sink and turned off the hot water while the cold continued to run.
The child remained in the sink for several more minutes.
She left Corbin unattended for several more minutes. When she returned to change him, she noticed the child had severe burns to his back, groin, buttocks and legs.
Martin told police she first called family members about the injury, but waited more than an hour to call 911.
She told police she was neglectful and only thinking of herself when she confessed to lying about what had happened.
Corbin was first taken to a local hospital then was transported to Riley's Burn unit where at last check was still being treated for his injuries.
Martin was arrested for battery and neglect Friday evening, but posted bond a short time after.
She remains free on bond and we're told she is free to run a daycare at home, but her attorney doesn't believe she will operate one for now.
Martin has no criminal record.
One man who’s son attends Martin’s daycare say that his son has been very happy at her house.
He also says, the idea that she (Martin) would intentionally harm a child runs counter to everything he knows about her.
A not guilty plea was entered into the record by the judge. FOX59 News is told that is common practice in an initial hearing like this.
Martin is scheduled to go on trial in front of a jury in January.
PREVIOUS STORY:
A 2 1/2-year-old boy was severely burned on his legs, groin, buttocks and back.
Plainfield police say 37-year-old Irene Martin intentionally put little Corbin in a tub filled with scalding hot water but Martin told officers that Corbin had fallen into lukewarm water and she called 911 when she noticed his skin was peeling off.
Police don't believe lukewarm water caused the injuries and Martin did not immediately call for help… that's why she was arrested for neglect and battery.
Captain Darel Krieger believes Martin was trying to teach Corbin a lesson.
He says these injuries typically stem from potty training.
“The caretaker or parents get frustrated and they wanna teach them that that it’s not right and they put them in water just to clean them off, but a lot of times that water is scalding hot too."
As of Wednesday formal charges had not yet been field, but Martin has hired an attorney.
"She's upset and nervous."
Attorney Annie Fierek could not comment on the specifics of the case, but does say her client has no record and that could help her case.
"I think her not having a criminal history and the facts of this case that it will be difficult to prove a B felony against Irene Martin."
Martin is out on bond and is scheduled to appear in court Thursday if formal charges are filed in the morning.
She faces a maximum of 10 years behind bars if convicted.
