Man accused of burning boy dealt new charge

A Whitefish man accused of forcing his girlfriend’s 5-year-old child into a bathtub full of scalding water, severely burning the boy, has pleaded innocent to amended information in a new charge.

During an arraignment Thursday morning in Flathead County District Court, Juan Miguel Vasquez, 28, pleaded not guilty to assault on a minor, a new charge added to the already-pending charges of aggravated assault and criminal endangerment, all felonies.

He has pleaded not guilty to the other two charges as well.

Although the defense filed a motion to dismiss the additional count, District Court Judge Stewart Stadler has yet to make a ruling.

Vasquez also has a pending drug charge against him.

Since posting $50,000 bond on Nov. 17, 2009, Vasquez has been free.

At a previous bond reduction hearing, Vasquez — who has limited mobility from a serious back injury and has extensive family connections in Northwest Montana — testified he was not a flight risk.

Responding to a Ramsey Avenue residence on Oct. 24, 2008, Whitefish Police discovered the severely burned boy.

The boy, who suffered second- and third-degree burns to more than 40 percent of his body, was treated for three months at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.

In interviews with a detective from the Seattle Police Department, the boy said Vasquez put him in the bathtub of scalding water and forced him to stay there, despite his screams.

According to court documents, a doctor and child-abuse expert at Harborview told investigators the pattern of burns on the boy’s body is consistent with forced immersion.

Vasquez also faces one count of fraudulently obtaining dangerous drugs, a felony.

He allegedly signed for three of his girlfriend’s prescriptions in her name at a Whitefish pharmacy while she was out of state at the hospital with her injured son.

Vasquez’s girlfriend told investigators she did not receive the prescriptions — which included painkillers and sleeping pills — and they were not found at their home.

If convicted of abusing the boy, Vasquez could face as long as 35 years in prison and a $150,000 fine.

He could face an additional five years in prison and $50,000 in fines if convicted of the drug charges.

Vasquez awaits trail on April 8.

Reporter Melissa Weaver may be reached at 758-4441 or by e-mail at mweaver@dailyinterlake.com