THORNDIKE, Maine (AP) - Authorities say a Maine mother charged with deliberately burning her 6-year-old son’s hand on a wood stove as punishment has died.
Michele Dunworth of Thorndike had pleaded not guilty to charges of endangering the welfare of a child and domestic violence assault and was awaiting trial.
Waldo County District Attorney Geoffrey Rushlau tells the Morning Sentinel (https://bit.ly/1l5j8HS) the 30-year-old Dunworth died on May 11. Rushlau said she died of natural causes. A phone message seeking further comment from Rushlau on Wednesday wasn’t immediately returned.
Police say the boy had accidentally pushed his 7-year-old sister against the stove while they were playing in January, prompting the punishment. Dunworth said the burns were accidental.
The case has been dismissed.
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Information from: Morning Sentinel, https://www.onlinesentinel.com/
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