Florida – In a shocking incident in Florida, a 52-year-old woman, identified as J. Soto‑Duenas, has been arrested after burning the hands of two young children in her care, causing injuries so severe that both had to be hospitalized. The caretaker is charged with two counts of child neglect causing great bodily harm following an incident in which she reportedly forced the children’s hands onto a hot, flat cooking surface after they asked for more food.
Soto‑Duenas’s charges stem from a callous act of punishment. According to the authorities, during the early morning hours at a trailer home, the 3‑year-old and 5‑year-old asked to eat more after finishing their meal. Soto‑Duenas allegedly responded by placing both children’s hands on a hot, flat cooking surface and holding them down until they were burned. Investigators say she later admitted to the act when questioned by a relative. Soto‑Duenas faces charges because her alleged conduct resulted in second‑ and third‑degree burns on both children’s palms — a level of harm considered “great bodily injury.” The fact that she waited hours before seeking medical attention only aggravated the seriousness of the neglect, prompting the felony charges.
According to the official account, the burns were discovered late Tuesday night when the children were brought to a local hospital with “severe untreated burns on the palms of their hands.” Deputies from the sheriff’s office responded to a call around 10:30 p.m. By that time, the children’s injuries had already worsened. The burns were so serious they required transfer to a specialized burn center in Alabama for further treatment. According to law enforcement, the kids had suffered second‑ and third‑degree burns, which carry serious risks of infection, scarring, and long-term damage. When confronted by investigators, Soto‑Duenas reportedly acknowledged what she had done. A family member said she admitted she had placed the children’s hands on the griddle because she was “frustrated with them for asking for more food after they had already eaten.” She claimed she did not seek help or treat the burns, a choice that shocked both family and authorities alike.
Soto‑Duenas was taken into custody on Wednesday and is being held without bond at the county jail. In addition to the criminal charges, she is reportedly under ICE hold — though law enforcement has not disclosed the specific reasons for that hold. The swift arrest reflects how seriously authorities view the case. Prosecutors and child welfare officials described the incident as a disturbing example of caretaking gone terribly wrong. By bringing charges quickly and moving to detain Soto‑Duenas without bond, they signaled a zero‑tolerance stance toward violence against children, especially when inflicted under the guise of discipline or frustration.
At the burn center, doctors told investigators that the children’s rapid improvement under proper medical care suggests their injuries resulted from neglect and abuse — not accident or illness. After only a few days of proper feeding and treatment, their condition noticeably improved, confirming that their prior condition likely stemmed from a lack of proper care at home.
The case has sparked concern and outrage among community members and child welfare advocates. It underscores how vulnerable children are when placed under the supervision of caretakers — and how quickly everyday frustration can turn into life‑threatening cruelty. As the legal process proceeds, the wounds inflicted on the 3‑ and 5‑year‑old may heal physically, but the emotional scars could linger. For now, Soto‑Duenas remains behind bars, facing the consequences of a choice that endangered lives instead of protecting them.
