Florida Dad Accused Of Placing Daughter's Hand On Hot Stove

BARTOW, FL — A Florida dad has been accused of placing his 9-year-old daughter's hand on a hot stove "to teach her a lesson" about stealing.

Thirty-nine-year-old Felipe Casanova of Bartow was arrested this week after school officials reported the possible child abuse. Casanova was charged with aggravated child abuse.

"The investigation revealed that the child, aged 9 years, had arrived at school with a bruised left eye," according to Bartow police. "She also had what appeared to be a significant burn to her right palm."

The child told investigators that her father disciplined her by placing her hand over a hot stove. She suffered a bruised left eye and what police described as a "significant burn to her right palm."

During questioning at Casanova's home in the 500 block of W. Dorothy Street, he allegedly told police that he placed his daughter's hand on the stove because she stole from the family.

"He advised this discipline was used to 'teach her a lesson,'" Bartow police said. "Casanova further stated that the victim had pulled away from the stove, at which time she fell over a stool located beside the stove, causing the black eye to the victim."

The Florida Department of Children and Family Services assisted in the investigation, according to police.