Infant severely burned by 129-degree toilet water after parents ignore problem for a year: Police

A couple in South Carolina have been arrested after police say they burned an infant with scalding hot toilet water that reached 129 degrees Fahrenheit.

Nijel David Flowers, 25, and Mahogany Na’Jae Hemingway, 21, of Kingtree, South Carolina surrendered themselves to police at the Williamsburg County Sheriff’s Office on April 11, though the burning of the child occurred on March 18, according to a statement from police posted on Facebook Thursday.

An investigation is still ongoing but for now, the couple is charged only with unlawful conduct toward a child. They are detained at the Williamsburg County Detention Center.

Charleston CBS affiliate WCSC reported that Hemingway allegedly told police she was aware that the water in the their toilet had been extremely hot for roughly a year. Nothing was ever done to fix the issue however and when police investigated they learned the water temperature was almost 130 degrees Fahrenheit. Water boils at 212 degrees Fahrenheit.

Police said Hemingway and Flowers “placed their infant child at unreasonable risk, affecting the infant’s life, health and safety.”

A review of public online court records shows that the case against is now docketed in criminal court. It is unclear if they have retained attorneys.

Have a tip we should know? [email protected]