Thomas Lynn Hunter, a 19 year old who recently moved from Woodville to Groves, has been arrested and placed in the Jefferson County Correctional Facility. Hunter was arraigned Wednesday morning on a charge of 1st degree felony of injury to a child in Judge Leonard Giblin’s courtroom. Bond is set at $40,000.

At approximately 5 p.m. on Tuesday, September 26, officers were dispatched to a residence in the 6200 block of Warren in reference to a two year old child with burns to her legs and feet.

The suspect was caring for the victim and her six month old brother while their mother was working. The suspect allegedly was upset with the two year old and held her in scalding bath water as a form of discipline. The suspect is the father of the younger child, and stated that he is engaged to the mother, who he called at work and was at the scene prior to the arrival of EMS.

The victim is presently receiving treatment at Shriner’s Hospital in Galveston for the second degree burns to her lower extremities and for “splash marks” on her chest and upper body caused by the hot water. She will be in the hospital for several weeks.

Investigators are continuing to gather evidence and statements pending the filing of formal charges. If convicted, Hunter could receive 5-99 years in prison or life in prison.