...the Howard County District Attorney's Office explained to NewsWest 9 why they believe the punishment, after much investigation, does fit the crime. They report Peña had a clean record and showed remarkable remorse. Also, the baby's burns were not as severe as investigators initially thought. He didn't need any skin grafting and was left without scarring.
Now that the case is closed, the Stanton Police Department opened up to us with alarming details. Peña first told police he accidentally spilled hot water on the baby while he was cooking.
Then, his story changed.
Stanton Police Chief, Fred Schroyer, says, "While [Peña was] caring for the child, he was playing video games. He became somewhat agitated with the child fusing and crying and put the child in the bathtub with the intent to give him a bath and put him in bed."
Peña then turned on mostly hot water and left the bathroom to continue with his video game in another room.
"He then returned to care for the child upon hearing the child cry and at that time the water in the bathtub was actually steaming and the child had already been burned by the hot water," Schroyer said.