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Deputies: Couple waited hours to seek treatment for baby burned in shower

BRADENTON, Fla. -- Deputies say a Bradenton mother and her boyfriend waited hours before seeking medical help for her 10-month-old who was burned while left alone in a hot shower.

The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office tells news outlets 24-year-old Cayla Zarvas and 24-year-old Dennis E. Zipprian are facing child neglect with great bodily harm charges.

An affidavit says the baby suffered second-degree burns to his groin and buttocks after Zipprian left him unattended in the shower for about five minutes while Zarvas was working at Pizza Hut.

Authorities say Zipprian took the child to Zarvas’ job. The couple drove home and to Walmart, where they allegedly left the child in the car for 20 minutes while they shopped for burn cream, popcorn and cereal.

The child was admitted to a burn unit the following morning, where he stayed for three days. 

Doctors believe there will be permanent scarring and discoloration from the burns, reports CBS affiliate WTSP.

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