COOPER, Texas - A 25-year-old Delta County woman has been arrested after authorities say a toddler was found alone about a quarter-mile from home wearing only a diaper and suffering apparent burns after exposure to extreme heat.
Delta County Sheriff's Office deputies responded Sept. 15 to the 200 block of County Road 1187 in the Lake Creek area after receiving a report of a found child.
According to the Sheriff's Office, a neighbor discovered the toddler asleep on the front porch of a residence approximately a quarter-mile from the child's home. Temperatures outside exceeded 100 degrees at the time.
Deputies said the child was wearing only a diaper and had significant redness and apparent burn injuries on his back consistent with prolonged exposure to extreme heat and direct sunlight.
Emergency medical personnel treated the toddler at the scene before transporting him to CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital in Sulphur Springs for further evaluation.
Child Protective Services was notified and joined the investigation. After the toddler was released from the hospital, CPS removed him from the home, according to the Sheriff's Office.
The investigation resulted in a warrant for Skyler Nance, 25, of Lake Creek.
Nance was arrested without incident at the Delta County Sheriff's Office at approximately 9:47 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22. She was booked into the Hopkins County Jail on a state jail felony charge of injury to a child, elderly or disabled individual with criminal negligence.
Her bond was set at $15,000.
Authorities did not provide additional information about Nance's relationship to the child or explain how the toddler left the home.
