The caregiver for a 13-year-old paraplegic girl was arrested Tuesday night, accused of placing her in scalding bath water.

“Apparently, the water was so hot that it peeled the skin on the child’s buttocks,” said Limestone County Chief Investigator Stanley McNatt. “The caregiver claims the water was warm when she placed her in the tub, but it is evident that was not the case. The child was taken to the hospital for treatment.”

Carolyn Hodges, 23, of 6307 Ryme Village Apartments, Huntsville, was in the Limestone County Jail on Wednesday charged with child abuse. Hodges had not yet been taken before a circuit judge and bond had not been set.

McNatt said Hodges works for a group home on Pepper Road in Limestone County and that the child was under her care. McNatt would not name the place of business since the investigation is continuing.

“It appears the child was burned on her buttocks, feet and ankles,” McNatt said. “The girl suffers from cerebral palsy. She is hearing impaired and is mentally retarded.”

The 13-year-old was taken to Athens-Limestone Hospital by private vehicle at approximately 7 p.m. and treated there. She was then transferred to Huntsville Hospital to be treated by her family doctor. It was not known Wednesday whether the girl remained hospitalized.

“The caregiver told her supervisor that she had run bath water for the child and placed her in the tub,” McNatt said. “The caregiver said the water was warm and when she started to wash the child’s buttocks area the skin started to peel off.”

He said the caregiver then had another worker assist her in getting the child out of the tub, at which time blisters started forming on her buttocks and feet. At that time, the two workers called in their supervisor who came to the scene and directed that the child be taken to the hospital emergency room by private vehicle.

“The caregiver worked for the group home and the child was under her care,” McNatt said. “At this time we would rather not release any more information until the investigation is complete.”

It was not known how long the caregiver had worked at the home or whether she was still employed there. Hodges has been unavailable for comment.