Men Pointed Gun At Baby, Burned Girl With Oil

PALM BAY, Fla. — A mother and her six children were tortured when armed men broke into their home this weekend, authorities said.

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Investigators said three men with guns broke into the home on San Filippo Drive in Palm Bay on Saturday at about 11 p.m. and forced the children to lie down in the living room. The mother then walked in on the men.

Police said the men, whose faces were covered, put a gun to a 10-month-old baby’s head, choked an 11-year-old and poured boiling oil on the mother and her 15-year-old daughter.

The girl is recovering at Arnold Palmer Hospital with third-degree burns, officials said. Her mother was released earlier. The children’s grandmother, who didn’t want to be named, said the family is traumatized. “(The mother) is in shock … really in shock because she didn’t believe it really happened to them in their home. I just hope they catch them,” the grandmother said.

She said the men also tried to shoot the family dog, demanded money and stole their Christmas gifts. Police said they believe the men may know the children’s uncle and that they hope to interview the family again on Monday.

SOURCE:  http://www.wesh.com/news/21882000/detail.html