SALT LAKE CITY — A Hurricane man faces criminal charges accusing him of pouring hot water on two young children, causing second-degree burns.
Austin Woolsey, 24, was charged Wednesday in 5th District Court with two counts of child abuse, a second-degree felony.
On Tuesday, Hurricane police said they discovered burns on two boys, ages 2 and 3. The 2-year-old had a “large burn on his left side” that started “just under the arm and chest area” and went down to his stomach, according to a police affidavit.
The 3-year-old had burn marks on his forehead and neck area, the affidavit states. Both burns appeared to be caused by liquid being poured on them, according to police.
“Both children were taken to the hospital with second-degree burns to their bodies,” the affidavit says.
Police interviewed Woolsey and said his first explanation did not add up. An officer eventually “asked Austin if he poured hot water intentionally on the kids and he said, ‘Yes.’ I asked Austin if he knew it was wrong to pour hot water on them and he said, ‘Yes,’” the affidavit states.