By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

A MAN and woman are in police custody after their baby boy was rushed to hospital for third degree burns that covered nearly 30 per cent of his body.

According to sources, the one-year-old was rushed to the emergency room at Princess Margaret Hospital last Friday, after police officers noticed his face was disfigured and the skin on his chest was “peeling off”. The baby is listed in critical condition.

The Tribune understands that the toddler’s older brother noticed the burns on the child and contacted police who went to the home with Social Service officers.

When they arrived they saw that the child had severe burns on his face, chest and arms and appeared to be in pain. It is claimed that the parents told the officers that the child was accidentally burned with hot tea and they rubbed “aloes” on his burns to soothe the pain.

The child was rushed to hospital and immediately underwent surgery to repair his face and remove the dead skin from his body.

Sources in the hospital say the boy received third degree burns on 27 per cent of his face. It appears the injuries were caused by “a very hot liquid”. However doctors are expected to perform additional tests to determine exactly what caused the burns.

The 56-year-old man and 33-year-old woman were taken into custody and are expected to be charged with neglect and grievous harm.

Investigations are continuing.