MCSO: Mother arrested after burning 2-year-old

PHOENIX — Three children have been placed under the custody of Child Protective Services after their mother was arrested Friday in connection with allegations of burning one of them.

Twenty-six-year-old Anna Elena Ochoa was arrested by deputies from the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office after they received an anonymous tip that Ochoa had been abusive towards her children.

Lt. Brandon Jones said deputies went to Ochoa’s Gila Bend apartment and discovered that her 2-year-old child had been severely burned on the buttocks.

“He did have burns consistent with physically touching or physically being placed onto a burner…an electric stove-top burner,” he said.

Jones said Ochoa told police she had burned the toddler on Tuesday because she was annoyed after the boy wet himself.

“She then proceeded to remove his clothing, turn on the stove-top burner and hold him over the burner for an unspecified amount of time,” Jones said.

Ochoa then reportedly clothed the boy and continued getting ready for work.

“She didn’t tend to any injuries or anything,” Jones said.

A forensic medical examination revealed the burns consisted of several half circles that were beginning to scab and covered both of the boy’s buttocks, according to MCSO.

The boy also reportedly had other marks on his body including bruises on his lower back and blisters on his lips and fingers.

All three of Ochoa’s children, including a 1- and a 4-year-old, were placed into the care of CPS and Ochoa was charged with one count of child abuse.

She was booked into Fourth Avenue Jail late Friday.