20-Month-Old Baby Sustains Burns After Left in Tub Unattended: New London Police

New London Fire Department personnel were called to 39 Bristol St. in New London on Sept. 20, 2015, after receiving a report of a 20-month-old child who was having difficulty breathing.

Upon arrival, it was determined that the child had severe burns, Deputy Chief Peter Reichard said in a press release.

“After a lengthy investigation and numerous interviews, [Elizabeth] Mendez-Marchany admitted that she placed the victim in the bathtub unattended with the water running,” Reichard wrote in a release. “The prolonged exposure to the hot water caused serious physical injuries to the child.”

Police said Mendez-Marchany’s initial statement was inconsistent with the victim’s injuries, as reported by medical doctors.

“During subsequent interviews, Mendez-Marchany admitted to placing the child in the tub and leaving him unattended,” Reichard said.

An arrest warrant was served on Tuesday, Oct. 27, and Mendez-Marchany, 39, was charged with the following:

• Assault in the third degree
• Risk of injury to a minor
• Providing a false statement to police

Mendez-Marchany is being held on a $150,000 court-set bond.

Photo of Mendez-Marchany provided by New London Police