Baby burned in microwave gets skin grafts

updated 10:54 a.m. ET May 23, 2007

GALVESTON, Texas - A baby girl was released from a hospital 11 days after police say she was burned in a motel microwave oven.

The infant's mother blamed the devil for what happened, saying Satan compelled her husband to put the baby in the microwave. The devil "saw my husband as a threat" because of his efforts to become a preacher, Eva Marie Mauldin, 20, told Houston television station KHOU.

"He would never do anything to hurt her," she said. "Satan was working through his weaknesses."

Mauldin said her husband had a mental disability and her efforts to get him help have failed.

Doctors at the Shriners Burn Hospital performed at least two skin grafts on 2-month-old Ana Marie Mauldin, who suffered burns on her face and hand May 10. She was released Monday and placed in foster care, and a custody hearing was scheduled later this week.

The baby's father, Joshua Mauldin, 19, was charged with felony injury to a child and was jailed on $250,000 bond. If found guilty, he could face up to 99 years in prison.

Police say father switched story
Mauldin, of Warren, Ark., came to Galveston with his family earlier this month to be a preacher, authorities said. When he first called 911, he said the baby had been burned when he tripped while carrying a pot of hot water in their motel room, police said.

He later told police he put his daughter in the microwave because he was under stress. Police said the infant was in the oven for 10 to 20 seconds while her mother and grandmother were away.

Baby Ana Marie did not suffer any internal injuries, said Gwen Carter, spokeswoman for Child Protective Services. She said the child is now "doing really well, making eye contact and was responsive to hospital staff when they held her."

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