DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) – A man put a hot tobacco pipe on a child's skin and burned her out of frustration, police say.
An investigation into Jamonta Blythe, 18, began on Sept. 30. Police say the girl had burns, bite marks and bruises on Oct. 6.
Blythe first told police the injuries came when he was holding the child and fell after tripping, causing her to slide on the carpet. A doctor at the Pediatric Resource Center examined her in October and said he believed physical abuse was the real cause.
Police say they arrested Blythe on Monday and interviewed him, at which time he admitted to burning the child intentionally. A sworn statement says he used a lighter on a metal tobacco pipe to heat it, then put the pipe on the child’s skin more than once. She had burns on her stomach, legs and feet.
Blythe is charged with aggravated battery to a child and aggravated domestic battery. His bond is set at $250,000 in Macon County.
