Yuma couple accused of assaulting child with blow torch

Child flown to Phoenix hospital with serious injury - News 11’s Arlette Yousif reports

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - A five-year-old Yuma boy is in a Phoenix hospital tonight recovering from a horrific crime. Court records reveal two adults allegedly burned the child with a blow torch. Now they face criminal charges in connection with the case. According to court documents, the child was abused between January to May of this year.

Officers responding to a home on 9th Street and 9th Avenue. Little did they know what they would find. Court records reveal 27-year-old Stanford Miller, and 35-year-old Lacey Rodriguez Acosta allegedly abused the five-year-old with a blow torch. Yuma police arrested miller and Acosta last Monday. A neighbor close to where the alleged abuse was taking place says the details are disturbing.

"I’m just shocked and I, I’m so upset. I just don’t like little children getting hurt. I just think it’s awful. We live in a very sick world, I guess and it’s just sad to know that a child would be hurt by an adult like that," says Hannon.

Miller and Acosta are back in court next week.

Unfortunately, Yuma is no stranger to child abuse cases.

"They’re fairly horrific and in the last few months, unfortunately, we’ve seen a significant rise in the severity of cases. Not just child abuse reports coming in, but the severity of those cases," says Amberly's Place Executive Director Tori Bourguignon.

Up 8% from May of last year according to Amberly's Place.

"Something that we take very seriously, our mission here at Amberly's Place is certainly to stop the abuse from happening and then to do what we can to help mitigate that trauma," says Bourguignon.

One local shares what others are saying on social media.

"Hope he gets that full extent of the law and that’s not even enough because they should get done to them what they did to the child. That’s, sorry, but that’s how I feel," explains Hannon.

The little boy is in serious but stable condition. Everyone's thoughts and prayers are with this innocent victim.

"I hope this gets resolved and the child’s gonna be okay," says Hannon.

Amberly’s Place says it's crucial to report any suspicion of child abuse. Reporting is completely anonymous and allows authorities to investigate. Victims of violence who need the community’s help to speak up.

The case is still under investigation. YPD urges anyone with any information about this case to call Detective Almodova at (928) 373-4781 or 78-Crime at (928) 782-7463 to remain anonymous.