Athens man faces several charges after allegedly burning toddler

[TigressPen]

Athens man faces several charges after allegedly burning toddler

Published: Friday, January 9, 2009

Last Modified: Friday, January 9, 2009, 1:01:06am


Prosecutors added a new felony charge yesterday against a man accused of burning a 20-month-old with 140-degree water.

Hours before a preliminary hearing on felony assault charges, prosecutors added a felony child endangerment charge against Andrew Hutchins, 20. Prosecutors allege Hutchins held his girlfriend’s daughter under hot water, causing first- and second-degree burns, but did not take her to the hospital for about six hours.

Hutchins’ attorney, Bill Biddlestone, said the prosecution can’t prove the felony assault charge and filed the child endangerment charge as a backup option.

“They can’t prove he intentionally held the kid anywhere,” Biddlestone said. He suggested that Hutchins left the girl alone in the bathtub, where she was burned by the bath water.

Judge William Grim declined the prosecutor’s request for a $10,000 bond on the new charge, a third-degree felony, noting that Hutchins already faces a $250,000 bond in Common Pleas Court for violating his parole and a $75,000 bond in municipal court for the felony assault charge — both related to the girl’s burns.

Grim questioned why prosecutors would file the charge at “two minutes’ notice” and rescheduled the hearing. Assistant County Prosecutor Keller Blackburn said he asked an officer to file the charges Wednesday night, after the court closed, and that they were filed yesterday morning.

Sheriff’s deputies began investigating after Hutchins’ girlfriend, Amber Milner, brought the girl to O’Bleness Memorial Hospital on Dec. 14. Citing “major burns,” doctors later transferred the girl to Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus.

The girl is now in a foster home, said her great-grandmother, who added that she is trying to get custody of the child.Hutchins, who lives with Milner in an apartment on Hope Drive, has a criminal record stretching back at least two years.

Police arrested Hutchins in 2007 for possession of Methadone without a prescription and, in April, he threatened to rob the local Kroger. One month later, Hutchins shot himself in the foot with a .22 caliber pistol while intoxicated.Grim will preside over Hutchins’ preliminary hearing on the felony charges today at 8:30 a.m. in Athens Municipal Court.

http://www.thepost.ohiou.edu/Articles/News/2009/01/09/26692/

[TigressPen]

Just let the word flow through general jail population and throw him in.


I do hope he doesn't just get a couple years slap on the wrist! He'd be out in a few months if he did.

[Roamer]

I agree 100% with your first sentence.

[TigressPen]

Andrew Hutchins mom came down and posted on the thread about his charges. She is in complete denial. And he has a criminal history. I wonder if he was drinking when he put this baby in scolding water.

[Roamer]

Came down where and posted? Does he have a thread here? I searched but didn't find it.

[TigressPen]

Came down where and posted? Does he have a thread here? I searched but didn't find it.



I am so sorry. I thouht I had included the URL

http://www.thepost.ohiou.edu/Article...9/01/09/26692/


My day has gone upside down. lol

[Roamer]

It was me. I didn't go to the link. My bad. Sorry.

[Roamer]

Since it was a public site, I see no reason we can't show his mother's comments here.

http://www.thepost.ohiou.edu/Articles/News/2009/01/09/26692/

Appolymi said on 2009-01-10 14:24:07: Quality: +0
You need to get facts straight if you're going to comment. First this is Loretta Atkinson and I'm this man Andrew Hutchins' mother. My son is not a child abuser, it has not been proven further more if you knew the facts you would that it has actually showing that he is innocent of any wrong doing. He has 2 sisters that he has been around since they were born and he has never done anything to hurt them. He has been left alone numerous times with his sisters, niece and nephews and they have never been abused while in his care. Anybody that really knows Andrew knows that he would never do something that cruel to a child. Further more he has been around that baby since she was born and he thinks of her as his own daughter, he's been more of father than her own father has ever been, that baby even calls him daddy. So before you closed minded people get on here and say stuff about single mothers and their boyfriends you need to get the facts straight. My son is a very loving, caring and compassionate person and if you ever met you would see that.

[grammybears]

wow is all I can say about the mothers comments. I have known a lot of mothers of sons accused of crimes that have said their son could not have done such a thing. But the sad truth is all it takes is one time. Obviously there is an anger issue about this sweet babies biological father or else why would she come out with that comment about caring more for this baby then the real father.

I probably know my daughters better then anybody else in the world and I will be the first to admit that they are human and sometimes do not do things right. If I have ever found out that they may have hurt one of their children I would be the first person to tell them that I am disappointed in their actions whether they be deliberate or a moment of anger. I still love them but will not condone any bad behavior. They also know my grandchildren are all old enough to tell me what is going on in their life.

The person I feel for is this child. Why isn't anyone speaking up for her and seeing justice for the wrong doings done to her?

I pray she will heal.

jmoo

[TigressPen]

Regardless of how this turns out, I still wish her peace. Her son has a record and showed violence in the past - he threatened to rob and shot himself too.