YONKERS---A Yonkers woman has pleaded guilty to one count of first degree assault in the scalding of her son.

Yolanda Blackwell, 27, admitted that on Oct. 12, 2006, she dipped two year old Jalaney Kearney into scalding water, causing him to sustain significant third degree burns to over 20% of his body. The injuries resulted in the child requiring multiple surgeries and an extensive stay in the intensive care unit of Jacobi Medical Center in The Bronx.

The injuries the child sustained as a result of the defendant's conduct will result at a minimum in permanent scarring of the child's body. After her son was injured, the defendant did not immediately seek treatment and dressed him in clothes to hide his injuries. Blackwell faces a maximum of 25 years in state prison when she's sentenced on May 10. 3-16-07

© 2007 North Country Gazette