Texas Woman Accused of Throwing Boiling Water on Toddler and Teen, Leaving Both with Severe Burns

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS — A 33-year-old Texas woman has been arrested after police say she threw boiling water on two children — a 2-year-old and a 13-year-old — causing burn injuries across their bodies during a late-night incident inside a San Antonio home.

According to the San Antonio Police Department, Stacy L. Gilbert was taken into custody early Tuesday morning and charged with two counts of injury to a child, including one count of recklessly causing bodily injury and another alleging intent to cause bodily injury.

Children Found with Burns “Throughout Their Bodies,” Police Say

Officers responded to a 911 call reporting an injured juvenile at a residence in the 3800 block of Maverick Creek around 1:15 a.m. on Tuesday, police said.

When first responders arrived, they located both children inside the home. Authorities reported that the toddler and the teen were suffering from burn wounds across multiple parts of their bodies.

Emergency medical personnel transported both victims to a local hospital, where they were treated for their injuries. Their current conditions have not been publicly released.

Police Say Attack Was Unprovoked

Following a preliminary investigation, officers alleged that Gilbert became angry with the children for reasons that remain unclear.

Police say that while the boys were inside their bedroom, Gilbert allegedly entered the room and threw boiling water on them, causing the severe burns.

Authorities have not publicly clarified Gilbert’s relationship to the children.

Neighbors Describe Troubling History at Home

Several neighbors spoke with local media about the incident, describing it as horrifying but not entirely unexpected. All spoke on the condition of anonymity.

“Your job is to care for these children,” one neighbor said. “It’s treacherous to do something like that.”

Another neighbor said they could not comprehend how anyone could intentionally harm children, adding, “They’re kids. There should be no reason.”

A third neighbor told reporters that police had been called to the residence multiple times in the past, and they recalled seeing the children playing outside barefoot near broken glass.

Prior Child-Related Charges Raise Concerns

Court records show Gilbert has a history of prior arrests, including charges related to abandoning a child, child endangerment, and deadly conduct in 2020.

In 2021, she was also charged with assault causing bodily injury and making terroristic threats, records indicate.

Bond Set as Investigation Continues

Gilbert was booked into the Bexar County Adult Detention Center, where she remains held on $30,000 bond as of Thursday afternoon.

If released, court records show she would be prohibited from possessing firearms. She is currently scheduled to return to court for a pre-indictment hearing on April 20.

Police emphasized that the investigation remains ongoing and said additional charges could be filed as detectives continue reviewing evidence and medical reports.

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