Father, William Schmuhl, Charged With Felony Child Abuse After Dumping 9-Month-Old Daughter In Burning Hot Water, Then Waited Hours To Get Medical Attention

Virginia police arrested a 24-year-old father, William Schmuhl, after he dumped his 9-month-old daughter in burning hot water, then refused to seek medical attention until hours later, according to Daily Mail.

On April 21, Schmuhl – who was staying with his girlfriend at Super Value Inn in Spotsylvania – waited until she went to work to fill the tub up with burning hot water, then dumped his 9-month-daughter in the tub for unknown reasons.

Child abuse charges against William Schmuhl for scalding his girlfriends 9 mo old says #Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Offc pic.twitter.com/UJH2yQCtba

— Julie Carey (@JulieCareyNBC) April 28, 2015

Although the Mary Washington Emergency Room was within walking distance from the hotel in which he resided, he waited hours to seek medical attention. His daughter — whose name has not been released to the public — suffered tremendously with severe burns all over her body.

Sheriff’s office spokesman Jeff Pearce said that the investigation commenced after the hospital staff contacted police when the baby was taken to the emergency room at Mary Washington Hospital.

“The team, comprised of investigators from Child Protective Services, Detectives from the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Criminal Investigative Division and a Deputy CA from the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office, were summoned by hospital staff after a nine-month old child was brought to the ER suffering from extensive emersion-type burns, common to dipping the child into scalding hot water.”

“The child was stabilized and subsequently transferred to VCU Medical Center in Richmond, for advanced burn treatment and possible surgery,” said Pearce.

“The baby’s burns are so very severe it appears the suspect waited several hours before bringing the child to the ER.

The baby suffered several hours and she was lethargic. She was going into shock.”

Pearce said that “This investigation is still ongoing and additional charges may be brought against Schmuhl and anyone else who may have been involved and had knowledge of the crime, failing to summon law enforcement or assistance for the child.”

Schmuhl was arrested after he was taken down to the police station for questioning.

This isn’t Schmuhl’s first run in with the law. In 2013, he was arrested for child abuse against his current girlfriend’s then-4-month-old son. As a result, his girlfriend’s mother took custody of the child, as well as two others.

After learning that Schmuhl had dumped the baby in burning hot water, the grandmother plans to get custody of her, as well.

Schmuhl was charged with felony child abuse.

Although it has been reported that the baby is in stable condition after being dumped in hot water, police officials say her condition could take a turn for the worse, and if they do, they plan to upgrade his charge.

He is currently being held at the Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond.

[Image courtesy of Phillppe/Flickr]