A 26 year old Clare woman has escaped jail after being convicted of neglecting her toddler by failing to seek immediate medical attention for non accidental burns to his legs.
At Ennis Circuit Court Judge Carroll Moran described as reprehensible the six day delay in getting treatment for the first and second degree burns inflicted on the woman’s two and a half year old son.
The boy — now aged five and in the care of the HSE — suffered burns to both legs on September 27 2009 and it wasn’t until October 3 that his mother, who cannot be named for legal reasons, brought the toddler for medical attention.
His mother told gardaí that the baby suffered the burns as a result of being wedged between his bed and a radiator but a medical expect said that in his opinion they were caused by boiling water.
Judge Moran said he was satisfied the burns were done deliberately but given there was no further evidence before him, the accused was only charged with neglect and he handed down a two year suspended sentence.
