March 24, 2008 Man accused of burning boy's genitals to remain behind bars

WAREHAM, Mass. (AP) - A man accused of using a cigarette to burn the genitals of a 7-year-old boy will remain behind bars as he awaits trial.

A judge ruled Monday that 22-year-old David Privette, of Boston, is too dangerous to be released on bail before his trial.

Privette was arrested last week and charged with repeatedly abusing his girlfriend's son. The Middleborough boy told a school nurse that Privette burned him, whipped him with a belt and urinated on his head.

The boy's mother, Michelle Henry, is charged with reckless endangerment and assault and battery.

The head of the state Department of Social Services has acknowledged the agency made mistakes in the case, including failing to do its own physical examination of the boy after school officials reported he was being abused, beginning in December.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)