Kids burned throwing cans into bonfire

PHOENIX - Three Phoenix children were hurt after they were allowed to throw spray paint cans into a backyard bonfire.

Police arrested 32-year-old Cody Hutchens, the father of two of the children.

Hutchens 4-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son were burned, along with a 12-year-old neighbor, said Sgt. Trent Crump with the Phoenix Police Department. "The 12 year-old sustained the most serious injury and was over at the Maricopa Burn Center this morning."

He said Hutchens was inebriated when the incident occurred Monday night near 83rd Avenue and Lower Buckeye Road.

"Our officers found several burn marks in the backyard and at least half-a-dozen paint cans discarded into the fire."

"When you mix these two together, you're going to get the can to blow up, if it's hot enough. Ultimately, that's what happened here injuring three of these children," said Crump.

Hutchens faces 12 counts from endangerment to child abuse.