Child Suffers Burns in Bathtub [UPDATE]

New London Police continue to investigate after a 2-year-old boy suffered first- and second-degree burns to approximately half his body on Sunday, Sept. 20.

“The child’s condition has improved and has been downgraded to stable condition,” Deputy Chief Peter Reichard said in a press release. “The child’s parents are cooperating fully with police and the Dept. of Children and Families and it appears from the preliminary investigation that the cause of the burns may be accidental.”

During the morning hours of Sunday, Sept. 20, an ambulance was sent to a home on Bristol Street after receiving a report of a 2-year-old male child having difficulty breathing.

When New London Fire Department ambulance personnel arrived on scene, they determined that the child was suffering first and second degree burns to approximately 50-percent of his body, according to Reichard.

The boy was transported to the Lawrence and Memorial Hospital and then taken by Life Star helicopter, in critical condition, to Shriners Hospitals for Children in Boston, Mass.

“The New London Police detectives were called in to assist in the investigation and to help determine whether the incident was an accident or a criminal act,” Reichard said. “Several persons, including the child’s parents, were interviewed and a residence was searched by police.”

The state Department of Children and Families was contacted. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone having information are asked to call the New London Police at 860-447-5262.