Pittsburgh man admits binding, burning autistic daughter, 5
PITTSBURGH (AP) – The father of an autistic 5-year-old girl admitted to binding his daughter’s wrists and ankles with plastic bags but testified that he was unsure how the girl received second- and third-degree burns.
The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports 42-year-old Terry Collins was found guilty Monday of charges of aggravated assault against a child and endangering the welfare of a child.
Collins said that he bound his daughter in their Pittsburgh home last October to prevent her from hurting herself. Dynasty Collins is nonverbal and was unable to testify.
Prosecutors say Collins became angry with the girl for a potty-training accident and burned her bottom under a stream of scalding water. They say Collins panicked after realizing the burns’ severity and called 911 at a neighbor’s house.