Pima County sheriff's detectives have arrested a 28-year-old Tucson woman, after her daughter was significantly burned by hot water in a bathtub, authorities said.
Samantha Osteraas was booked into the Pima County jail on two counts of suspicion of child abuse, said Deputy Ryan Inglett, a sheriff's department spokesman.
Just after 8 p.m. on Dec. 29, deputies went to a home in 2900 block of West Sun Ranch Trail, near North Shannon Road and West Lambert Lane, after receiving reports of a rescue follow-up, Inglett said.
When deputies arrived, they learned that a 5-year-old girl had been badly burned. She was immediately taken to the hospital with serious injuries.
Detectives with the crimes against children unit took over the investigation, after collecting evidence and further investigation, determined that the burns were not accidental, Inglett said.
On Jan. 5, the Pima County Attorney's Office issued an arrest warrant for Osteraas, who is the girl's adoptive mother, and she was arrested later that day.
The Arizona Department of Child Safety has removed Osteraas' other three children from the home, and is also investigating the incident, Inglett said.
The child remains in critical condition.
