Louisville couple faces decades in prison after 3-year-old severely burned

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — A Louisville couple faces decades behind bars for severely burning a toddler.

Jacob Sneed and Breanna Nicole Lair pleaded guilty to child abuse charges after a 3-year-old boy suffered severe burns that required emergency surgery.

Court records show Sneed placed the child’s hands in scalding water, causing serious burns to his hands and forearms.

Investigators said Lair waited several hours before taking the child to the hospital and later deleted in-home surveillance video that captured events leading up to the incident.

Documents show Child Protective Services had previously instructed Lair not to allow Sneed to be alone with the child.

Lair faces up to 19 years in prison. Sneed is scheduled to be sentenced in April and could face as many as 23 years behind bars.