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Shenig pleads guilty to boiling, tenderizing niglet
Waco woman pleads guilty to scalding, beating child
A Waco woman pleaded guilty Monday to hurting her son, then 23 months old, whose injuries included severe burns from scalding water and cigarettes, a
black eye and belt marks on his back.
Melissa Gayle Smith, 26, pleaded guilty to four counts of injury to a child in exchange for a recommendation from prosecutors Hilary LaBorde and J.R. Vicha that she serve 10 years in prison on each count.
Smith has no prior convictions, making her eligible for probation.
Judge Matt Johnson of Waco’s 54th State District Court ordered a background investi
gation and has set sentencing for June 17.
Two of the counts involving the burns are first-degree felonies, punishable by up to life in prison.
The other two are third-degree felonies, punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
Smith, who first told authorities that her daughter, then age 3, was responsible for her son’s injuries, was set to stand trial Monday.
Waco police were called to the Estella Maxey Apartments, 1809 J.J. Flewellen Road, on June 6, 2007, on a report of an injured child.
Smith initially told police that her daughter and son locked themselves in the bathroom and the girl had dipped the boy’s hand in scalding water.
Police detectives noted in reports filed in the case that the water heater in Smith’s apartment was set on maximum heat.
The boy’s hands, which now are badly scarred, were severely burned, according to police reports. Officers and Child Protective Service workers also found evidence of previous abuse on the boy, plus cigarett
e burns on his arm and stomach, belt marks on his back and a
black eye, LaBorde said.
“This is unconscionable,”� Vicha said. “No matter what kids do or what they have done, they don’t deserve something like this.”�
Smith has since relinquished her parental rights to both children. They now are living with their paternal grandmother, LaBorde said.
There was no evidence of abuse to the girl, authorities have said.
“She is sorry for what she did,”� said Smith’s attorney, Walter M. Reaves Jr. “It is an unfortunate situation.”�