Man allegedly used cigarettes to punish kids

EVERETT -- Police arrested a 26-year-old man Tuesday for allegedly abusing three children, including burning their hands and feet with cigarettes as punishment.

The Mountlake Terrace man is being held in Snohomish County Jail in lieu of $250,000 bail. He is being investigated for second-degree domestic violence child assault for allegedly abusing three of his nieces and nephews -- ages 9,4, and 22 months.

According to the court documents, the victims' grandmother called police after she noticed burns on the hands and feet of her grandson during a sleepover. Each child showed at least 10 burn marks on their feet, legs and hands.

Child Protective Service workers called to interview the children said the 9-year-old boy turned away and shook his head when they asked him if it was safe to go home, where they were staying with their uncle. The 4-year-old girl allegedly showed classic signs of being abused, such as wearing diapers and refusing to verbalize her emotions.

Police contacted the suspect and he admitted that he burned the children several times when he lost temper with them, court papers show.

The man lives with the children's mother at a home in Mountlake Terrace.