Pittsburgh Toddler Severely Burned In Bathtub; Father Facing Criminal Charges

PITTSBURGH, PA — A man is facing multiple criminal charges his 19-month-old daughter had to be hospitalized after suffering third-degree burns while she was being bathed.

Aubrey McClendon, 21, is charged with aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of children and reckless endangerment.

According to police, McClendon was giving his daughter a bath and later left the child alone with the water running for a period of time.

McClendon told police his daughter changed the water temperature while he was away. He noticed the burns but did not believe they were serious and took his child to a relative's home.

The next day, police were called after the child began seizing and foaming at the mouth. She was taken to UPMC Children's Hospital in critical condition with burns covering 40 percent of her body, and later was moved to an Akron hospital for additional treatment.

An active warrant was out for McClendon's arrest at the time of the incident for escaping from Renewal Inc., a Downtown organization dealing with people who have substance and/or alcohol use disorders. He was sent to the alternative housing facility after serving time time in jail on drug-related charges.

McClendon was denied bail on the current charges he faces and is being housed in the Allegheny County Jail. He faces a preliminary hearing on Nov. 20.