Child airlifted with severe burns; Carthage father charged
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A Carthage father is facing felony charges after his 8-year-old suffered severe burns inside a home and had to be flown to a Springfield hospital.
He is being held in the Jasper County Jail on a $100,000 cash-only bond.
Carthage police responded to an apartment on East Airport Drive Wednesday, where officers found the kid with extensive burns.
The child was flown by medical helicopter for further treatment.
According to a probable cause statement, Albin told investigators he had fallen asleep and woke to find the child on fire.
Investigators said a lighter, butane fuel containers and a torch had been left accessible inside the home where Albin’s three children, ages 8, 6 and 5, were present.
Albin initially told investigators only a lighter had been left out but later acknowledged that butane and another torch were also accessible.
Investigators also allege he did not immediately call 911 after discovering the injured child.
He reportedly first called the children’s mother and later gave himself an asthma treatment. Police said a nearby church employee ultimately contacted emergency services.
The probable cause statement also raises concerns about the condition and supervision of the children. Investigators found dried fecal matter on one child and diapers that appeared not to have been changed for an extended period of time.
Albin’s oldest child told investigators Albin used a bong or THC rig 10 to 20 times a day and would sometimes become sluggish and difficult to wake, leaving the that child to care for the younger kids.
Albin reportedly told investigators the fire was accidental.
