Wilmington man convicted of burning a child in his care

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A New Hanover County jury convicted a man for burning a child in his care Wednesday.

Wilmington Police said Fernando Ibarra, 23, was caring for his girlfriend’s 18-month-old son in August 2013 when the boy suffered second degree burns to his face and mouth. Police said Ibarra claimed it was from an accident while making lunch in the kitchen. He did not call 911 or take him to the hospital.

It wasn’t until eight hours later when a family member saw the burns and the boy was taken to a doctor. Doctors in Wilmington ordered him transferred to the burn unit in Chapel Hill. Doctors from the burn unit testified that Ibarra’s story of the kitchen accident was inconsistent with the injuries the boy had.

Ibarra was convicted of two counts of Felony Negligent Child Abuse Inflicting Serious Bodily Injury and one count of Felony Intentional Child Abuse Inflicting Serious Bodily Injury. Ibarra was sentenced to 5-7 years in the Department of Adult Correction.