A 26-year-old Wyoming woman has been charged with aggravated child abuse after allegedly pouring scalding water on a 4-year-old boy because he was "ugly."
Richellena Alana Vinita Lorraine Rule-Monroy was arrested last week in Park County. She is accused of causing severe burns, brain hemorrhages, a possible skull fracture and dozens of other injuries to the child.
The investigation began after Rule-Monroy took the boy to Powell Valley Hospital on July 2. She told staff the injuries resulted from an accident while making oatmeal the night before. Medical staff found multiple injuries in various stages of healing and notified authorities.
The child later told a foster parent that Rule-Monroy poured hot water on his ear because he was "ugly" and threw him downstairs. Doctors determined the third-degree burns were nonaccidental. The boy was flown to the University of Utah Burn Center on July 8 for treatment.
During a court hearing, Park County Prosecuting Attorney Bryan Skoric described the case as involving "extremely serious" abuse. Rule-Monroy's bond was set at $125,000. She is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing on July 22.