Independence woman charged after baby burned

A 23-year-old Independence woman faces a felony count after a 4-month-old boy she was babysitting suffered scalding burns on 60 percent of his body, prosecutors announced Monday.

Jackson County prosecutors charged Brea C. White with first-degree endangering the welfare of the child.

The boy also suffered a head injury consistent with being shaken, according to court documents.

White called 911 Saturday afternoon. An ambulance crew reported that the baby had apparent burns and was having trouble breathing.

The baby was rushed to Children’s Mercy Hospital, where doctors described his injuries as first- and second-degree “dipping burns.”

When questioned by Independence police, White said she had checked the water temperature before giving the baby a bath. She denied shaking him, according to court documents.

This story was originally published March 21, 2016 at 11:41 AM with the headline "Independence woman charged after baby burned."