This disgusts me, and I don't want to think about all the times we don't hear about this stuff. ---------------- Indianapolis police: Badly burned girl didn't get medical aid; parents arrested 11-year-old injured 2 weeks ago when pajamas caught fire By Vic Ryckaert Posted: January 8, 2009
An 11-year-old girl was in agony for two weeks, police say, because her parents failed to seek medical attention for second- and third-degree burns.
Fredrick Wessel, 48, and Sharon Wessel, 35, treated their daughter Heather's burns -- suffered when her pajamas came in contact with a propane heater on Christmas Eve -- with moisturizing cream and an old T-shirt, according to police. Advertisement
The Wessels were arrested Wednesday and held without bond in the Marion County Jail on preliminary charges of felony child neglect.
Heather remained Wednesday in Riley Hospital for Children, where she was being treated for burns to her legs, buttocks and back.
"The child's condition is considered to be serious and has been complicated by the onset of an infection," Sgt. Paul Thompson, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department spokesman, said in a written statement.
Officers went to the family's home in the 300 block of Villa Avenue about 1:20 p.m. Tuesday after an anonymous caller told police the child's parents had kept her in the home.
Officer Nicole Bockting found the child lying facedown on a sofa.
"She had what looked like an old, dirty white T-shirt covering her up," Bockting said. "She cried hysterically when the medics were trying to touch her and move her. She was crying, saying, 'I didn't want Mommy and Daddy to go to jail.' "
Heather kept a tight grip on a stuffed animal while rescuers gave her pain medication, Bockting said.
"These parents were oblivious to the fact that there was something seriously wrong with her," Bockting said. "They just thought that if they would put this cream on her, it would go away."
Police say the girl's silk pajamas caught on fire after she backed into the heater.
The family was using propane and electric space heaters because the gas had been shut off, Bockting said.
The Wessels were arrested Wednesday after an investigation by a child abuse detective. Heather's 14-year-old brother was placed in protective custody, Thompson said.
Fredrick Wessel was convicted of child molesting in March 1989. A Marion County judge sentenced him to five years in prison and three years' probation, records show.
Deena Abney, who lives across the street, said Heather is a friendly child, well-liked by children in the neighborhood near English and State avenues on the Near Eastside. Abney's daughter is very close to Heather, she said.
"I just hope Heather's OK," Abney said. "My daughter is devastated." -------------- But check out the mug shots.
First Mom:
Obviously not a winner, but she doesn't look like a meth addict. A pretty typical mug shot.
Those dirtbags should be shot for torturing their child.
