A jury convicted Maegan Valley of child abuse and child neglect on Tuesday. The charges stem from an April 2024 incident in which a 1-year-old boy suffered second- and third-degree burns at her unlicensed home daycare.
Valley, 36, was found guilty after a trial in Trempealeau County. Prosecutors said the boy sustained burns on more than 24 percent of his body and required surgery.
The child was dropped off at Valley's home at 7 a.m. on April 11, 2024. About 90 minutes later she called the parents and reported that the boy had become fussy and developed hives. Medical staff later determined the injuries were burns from heated liquid.
Investigators ruled out tap water as the source. Valley was uncooperative during police questioning and offered conflicting explanations before refusing to answer further questions.
Valley is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 2.