Boyfriend scalded toddler in bathtub on purpose, police say

CHESTER, Pa. (WPVI) -- Delaware County authorities have arrested a Chester man in a disturbing case of child abuse.

20-year-old Kasan Whitaker is charged with aggravated assault, child endangerment and other offenses after police say he placed his girlfriend's toddler son in scalding hot bathtub water.

Whitaker claims he was just bathing the 23-month-old boy.

But doctors say the scalding pattern shows the youngster was forcibly held down in the 140-degree water.

The boy, who suffered burns to 21 percent of his body, spent 42 days in the hospital, and faces future surgeries.