Five-year-old Kaitlyn Bowden was allegedly burned after stepping on a covered manhole in Detroit. (Credit: WJBK | myFOXDetroit.com)
DETROIT (WJBK) -
A five-year-old girl from Wixom was walking with her family after Sunday's Tigers' game when she stepped on a covered manhole on St. Antoine and we're told was instantly burned.
"I was looking at the manhole," said Kaitlyn Bowden. "Then I stepped on it by mistake, and then I screamed."
"As soon as she stepped on the manhole, she was like screaming, like excruciating pain, yelling really loud, screaming to the top of her lungs and just instantly crying. I grabbed her and I looked, and I saw how red her foot was," said her mother Kasandra Bowden.
The family took pictures as the child's foot began to blister. At Providence Hospital, doctors said the photos show second-degree burns.
"I don't know what degree it was, but it had to be really, really hot to burn her that easily, so I'm just shocked that no one has said anything or done anything about that," the girl's mother remarked.
We found the manhole and tried to take a temperature reading, but the steam was way too hot for a standard thermometer. We could definitely feel the intense heat that allegedly caused the burns.
The family called Fox 2 after they tried to reach several city departments.
We called the mayor's office. A spokesperson told us she'll have to get in touch with the proper department and said the city has no control over the steam coming out of the manholes.
The spokesperson called back to say the city is in the process of talking with the correct agency, but for now the manhole is still hot enough to cause serious burns, and the family hopes something is done before someone else gets hurt.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:59 AM EDT2013-05-23 14:59:53 GMT
Bugs are important to our environment and can even tell us about our water quality. That's why dozens on local students have been taking part in bug hunts.
Bugs are important to our environment and can even tell us about our water quality. That's why dozens on local students have been taking part in bug hunts.
Monday, May 20 2013 5:51 PM EDT2013-05-20 21:51:26 GMT
A church community in Canton is reeling over the death of a young man. He was just married on Saturday and less than 24 hours later killed in a car crash on the way to the couple's honeymoon. His bride survived.
A church community in Canton is reeling over the death of a young man. He was just married on Saturday and less than 24 hours later killed in a car crash on the way to the couple's honeymoon. His bride survived.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 9:22 PM EDT2013-05-16 01:22:48 GMT
A Detroit-based startup is taking off and installing green energy systems across the globe. They are taking a unique approach using a network of expert "freelancers."
A Detroit-based startup is taking off and installing green energy systems across the globe. They are taking a unique approach using a network of expert "freelancers."
Monday, May 13 2013 6:19 PM EDT2013-05-13 22:19:48 GMT
A suspect is in custody after a bomb scare at Westland City Hall. We're told a man held a worker hostage as SWAT teams surrounded a building on Ford Road. Nobody was hurt.
A suspect is in custody after a bomb scare at Westland City Hall. We're told a man held a worker hostage as SWAT teams surrounded a building on Ford Road. Nobody was hurt.
Thursday, May 23 2013 1:30 PM EDT2013-05-23 17:30:30 GMT
The incident forcing the partial evacuation of Detroit Metropolitan Airport for hours one day last month was triggered by law enforcement officials' belief that they'd found an improvised explosive device in luggage.
The incident forcing the partial evacuation of Detroit Metropolitan Airport for hours one day last month was triggered by law enforcement officials' belief that they'd found an improvised explosive device in luggage.
Thursday, May 23 2013 12:28 PM EDT2013-05-23 16:28:22 GMT
One week after appearing via satellite on the American Idol season finale the Queen of Soul has rescheduled next month's planned performance at the DTE Energy Music Theatre.
One week after appearing via satellite on the American Idol season finale the Queen of Soul has rescheduled next month's planned performance at the DTE Energy Music Theatre.
Thursday, May 23 2013 11:48 AM EDT2013-05-23 15:48:50 GMT
Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick is dropping his longtime lawyer. Kilpatrick told a judge Thursday that his relationship with James Thomas deteriorated long before his conviction.
Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick is dropping his longtime lawyer. Kilpatrick told a judge Thursday that his relationship with James Thomas deteriorated long before his conviction two months ago on corruption charges.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:59 AM EDT2013-05-23 14:59:53 GMT
Bugs are important to our environment and can even tell us about our water quality. That's why dozens on local students have been taking part in bug hunts.
Bugs are important to our environment and can even tell us about our water quality. That's why dozens on local students have been taking part in bug hunts.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:58 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:58:41 GMT
New U.S. Census Bureau estimates say Detroit's population remained just above 700,000 last year. The figures show Detroit lost residents between 2011 and 2012, but the decline was at a slower pace than in previous years.
New U.S. Census Bureau estimates say Detroit's population remained just above 700,000 last year. The figures show Detroit lost residents between 2011 and 2012, but the decline was at a slower pace than in previous years.
Five-year-old Kaitlyn Bowden was allegedly burned after stepping on a covered manhole in Detroit. (Credit: WJBK | myFOXDetroit.com)
