Father Accused Of Scalding Infant Son In Shower

SUMMIT, IL — A father is accused of scalding his 7-week-old son in the shower. Ashraf Arman, 20, appeared before Cook County Judge John Mahoney on a felony charge of aggravated battery to a child. The baby was also found to have other injuries, the prosecutor said.

Around 8:30 a.m. June 20, in the 6300 block of South Archer Road in Summit, the mother left the baby in Arman's care while she took the couple's older child shopping. She came home to find the baby with red, peeling skin. Arman allegedly told the mom that he had the baby in the shower with him.

The baby was brought to LaGrange Adventist Medical Center. Due to inconsistencies in Arman's story, doctors who examined the child found fractured ribs, blunt trauma to the baby's liver, and a right adrenal hemorrhage, the prosecutor said. The baby also had scald burns on his face and buttocks. Doctors at the hospital determined that the infant had been a victim of child abuse.

Arman allegedly told police he had the baby lying on a towel in the shower. When the baby cried the entire time, Arman turned off the water, the prosecutor said.

Arman's attorney told the judge that her client has a 1-year-old child where there have been no past allegations of child abuse. The older child is in the custody of a relative. She said Ashraf has limited funds and asked for a reasonable bond. She suggested electronic monitoring where Ashraf could stay with his mother.

"Of all the decisions I've made, including on this bench, this is the easiest decision I've ever had to make," Mahoney said. "No bond."

Arman is due back in court July 23 in Bridgeview.