Oregon man guilty of child endangering
4/29/2011A 22-year-old Oregon man charged with using a lighter to force his 3-year-old stepdaughter to hold a pushup position as punishment, pleaded guilty in Lucas County Common Pleas Court Thursday to felony child endangering.
Nicholas Thornton of 1116 Mambrino Rd. admitted burning the young girl, now 4, with a lighter on March 10 as punishment for wetting her pants.
The girl sustained burns on her abdomen and legs. A family member called police the next day after seeing the marks. Authorities said the girl has recovered.
Thornton was indicted on two alternate counts of child endangering on April 5. The Lucas County grand jury declined to indict the child’s mother, Maria Thornton.
As part of the plea, the second count of child endangering, which was punishable by up to eight years in prison, will be dismissed at Thornton’s May 26 sentencing. He faces up to five years in prison when sentenced by Judge Ruth Ann Franks.