PIKETON — In early February a baby girl was brought to Pike County Hospital with second-degree burns to her face. Hospital authorities called the Pike County Sheriff’s Office to report it.

In the initial investigation, deputies were told by the mother of the baby, 18-year-old Tonya Fish, and her teenage boyfriend that they had fallen asleep and left the baby, 3 months old at the time, in front of a Salamander-type heater they were using to heat the trailer.

Further investigation revealed otherwise, according to Pike County Prosecutor Rob Junk.

He said the boy was watching the baby and apparently became agitated with its crying and held it up to the heater. Later, seeing it was burned, he and Fish took it to the hospital.

Thursday, in Pike County Juvenile Court, the 17-year-old boy pleaded no contest to a felonious assault charge.

Judge Jerome Catanzaro sentenced him to 54 days in jail, one year in the Department of Youth Sentences, and placed him on probation until he turns 21.

The boy, who will turn 18 this week, was credited with 24 days already served in the Juvenile Detention Center and on Oct. 6 must report to the Scioto County Jail to serve the remaining 30 days.

Junk tried unsuccessfully to have the juvenile tried as an adult.

The Department of Youth Services sentence was suspended. A child endangerment charge was dropped as part of the plea agreement.

The judge ordered the youth to stay away from Fish and her child.

Junk said Fish is scheduled for court action later on a charge of child endangerment, a third-degree felony charge.

He said no date has been set.

G. SAM PIATT can be reached at (740) 353-3101, ext. 236, or spiatt@heartlandpublications.com.