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DALLAS, NC – Sixteen-month-old Isabelle Niggel is spending her third week in the hospital after being severely scalded in the bathtub while in her babysitter’s care. Isablle’s family says she was flown to the Burn Center at Wake Forest Baptist Health on June 8 with first, second and third degree burns covering 29 percent of her little body.
Gaston County Police say Isabelle got into a bathtub at her home near Dallas with scalding hot running water.
It happened while 24-year-old Cassandra Willard was supposed to be watching her and four other children. Willard is now in jail under a $250,000 bond.
Investigators say Willard didn’t hear Isabelle crying because she was listening to loud music in her headphones.
“How irresponsible can that be? That is irresponsible!” said Tamaria Moody, a neighbor.
When Isabelle’s father returned to the house the night of June 8, he heard Isabelle screaming and crying. When he went into the bathroom, he found her in the bathtub with the water still running. Investigators say she was underneath the scorching water for more than 30 minutes.
The babysitter frantically called 911.
911 Call: “She got into a tub of hot water somehow. Her skin is peeling and she’s completely red.”
Three weeks after that call, Isabelle has undergone three surgeries.
On a Facebook page created for Isabelle, her mother, Carrie, writes: “The Dr. says she will be here at least 6 weeks and at least 2 more surgeries within that time… And will have to have more when she goes home and through out her life.”
Here is the donation page set up to help Isabelle’s family: http://www.gofundme.com/a7da9c
