Man admits burning 2-year-old because he was 'mad' at boy's mom, prosecutors say

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Charges were filed Monday, Sept. 30 against Lamont Powell, 30, of Milwaukee, after prosecutors say he admitted burning a 2-year-old boy with a lighter because he was “mad” at the boy's mother.

According to a criminal complaint, on Sept. 23, a 2-year-old child was taken to the emergency room at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin by his biological father, suffering from burns throughout his body, including to his cheek, armpit, chest, and stomach. The father indicated his son had been staying with a friend of the child's mother.

Investigators spoke with Powell, who shares a child with the mother of the 2-year-old in this case.

Powell said on Sept. 21, he was alone at the home with two children, including the 2-year-old. He said he was “mad” at the 2-year-old's mother for not answering her phone, and he burned the child with a lighter multiple times.

He said when the child's mother came home, they put Vaseline on his burns. The complaint noted that the injuries and delay in seeking care placed the child at risk for infection and permanent scarring.

Powell faces the following charges: Physical abuse of a child — intentionally causing bodily harm by conduct which creates a high probability of great bodily harm; Mayhem; Neglecting a child — consequence is bodily harm, as party to a crime.