Man gets 5 years for burning son

Man gets 5 years for burning son

Sangraw charged with scalding boy in bathtub, delaying treatment

By Andy Nelesen • anelesen@greenbaypressgazette.com •

June 18, 2008

A 40-year-old man was sentenced Tuesday to five years in prison for scalding his adopted son in bathwater and waiting six weeks before seeking treatment for him.

Brown County Circuit Court Judge Donald Zuidmulder described Raymond Sangraw's actions as "horrific" and said it was a "violation of trust in a way almost incomprehensible."

Sangraw placed his son in a bathtub Feb. 17, 2007, and held him in the scalding water for about 10 seconds before pulling him out and running him under cold water, according to the criminal complaint. The boy, now 8, was not treated for the infected second-degree burns until April 3.

Sangraw pleaded guilty in March to child abuse in a plea deal that had prosecutors drop a companion charge of causing mental harm to a child. Sangraw faced up to 15 years in prison; prosecutors recommended he serve eight years in prison and five years on supervision.

Sangraw apologized and asked for a second chance. He had been drinking heavily the night he placed his son in the bathtub and said he is a different man since he stopped drinking.

"I am sorry for what happened to (my son) and I accept my responsibility," Sangraw said. "I punish myself over and over again for what happened."

Zuidmulder noted that Sangraw's punishment will end, but his son will live with the aftermath of the burns forever.

"This child can never set aside or depart from what happened that day," Zuidmulder said. "From the moment he was immersed in that water to the day he is called home … he will have to live with it. But it's your shame. You know it and I know it."

The injured child told pre-sentence investigators that he forgave his father.

"Dad is nice," the boy said. "I am not mad at him."

The boy said Sangraw wanted to take him to the hospital, but that his mother, Lisa Sangraw, told him not to.

"Ray should get another chance," the boy said.

Lisa Sangraw, Raymond's now-ex-wife, was sentenced to 16 months in prison in January for her role in the boy's burns. Both parents will spend five years on extended supervision after their release.

Lori Rademaker, the boy's foster mother, said he is recuperating, but still has scars and lingering issues from the incident.

"This little boy is tremendous," Rademaker told Zuidmulder. "He has persevered a lot. When he came to my home, he was still raw … and had nightmares. He was a basket case, obviously.

"I want Ray to know that (the boy) is physically coming along. His mental health is shaky at best, but he's making improvements and coming along."

Rademaker's remarks brought a wash of tears to Sangraw's face.

Sangraw's lawyer, Andrew Williams, said Sangraw doesn't remember placing the boy in the tub, but has accepted his responsibility.

"His remorse has overwhelmed his sense of self-preservation," Williams said.