LOUISVILLE, KY – A Kentucky woman and her boyfriend have been charged after allegedly delaying medical care for a 3-year-old boy who suffered severe burns to his hands and arms.

The child was reportedly left in the care of Jacob Sneed, 25, who is accused of intentionally dipping the toddler’s hands in scalding water.

Breanna Nicole Lair, 24, and Sneed face charges of first-degree child abuse, with an additional assault charge against Sneed. Authorities from the Louisville Metro Police Department reported receiving an alert about the boy’s critical burns as he was being transported to Norton Children’s Hospital.

The police affidavit claims Lair left the child alone with Sneed despite a Child Protective Services directive due to an ongoing investigation into a previous abuse allegation. During her son’s medical treatment, Lair allegedly misled hospital staff about the cause of the injuries.

According to investigators, it took Lair three hours after learning about the harm to seek medical help for the boy. The police documents indicate that the child suffered injuries to the “entirety of both hands and forearms.”

The subsequent investigation revealed that the child was exposed to potential danger due to the actions of both Lair, who has parental custody, and Sneed. The current condition of the child and who will take custody remain undisclosed.

Breanna Lair, an instructional assistant at Wheeler Elementary in Jefferson County Public Schools, is still listed as an employee, but her job status has not been clarified amid these charges.

Both Lair and Sneed are currently held in the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections, awaiting their upcoming court appearance set for April 15.