A Dillon County woman will spend five years in prison for abusing her 5-year-old stepson. She made him sit in scalding bath water because he wet the bed.
Dartisha Henson was to be tried this week, but decided to plead guilty Tuesday morning. The 24-year-old stepmother didn't say much as prosecutors gave the facts of the case to the judge.
The incident happened at her Latta home in November of 2008. The 5-year-old boy, who is now 7, was in court with his 9-year-old sister. Both children were in Henson's care when the incident happened.
The boy spent two weeks at the Augusta Burn Center for second and third degree burns to his lower body. The child's doctor and family therapist testified in court about how this incident has forever scarred him, both physically and mentally.
The boy's biological mother wanted more prison time for Henson. "My son gonna suffer more than five years because he gone have to live with his the rest of his life, especially cause he can't wear shorts because the kids pick at his legs because of how they're severely scarred up, you know, it's bad," said Patricia Wiggens.
In 2007, the Department of Social Services had a case against Henson for abusing both children. She successfully completed parenting classes and the case was closed.
Henson's parental rights to her biological child have been terminated, and as a result of her conviction she must register on the South Carolina Central Registry of Child Neglect and Abuse, as a person found to have abused children.
When Henson is released from jail, she will be on probation for five years.
She is to never have contact with the boy or his sister.
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