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Child burned with acid on Maryland playground 
Several bottles of industrial-strength drain cleaner splashed on equipment

A 2-year-old boy was critically burned Saturday after someone broke into an elementary school, stole several bottles of industrial-strength drain cleaner and splashed it all over the school's playground equipment, authorities said.

The boy was burned mostly on his legs by the cleaner, which contains a strong concentration of sulfuric acid, said Division Chief Michael Robinson of the Baltimore County Fire Department. No one else was injured.

The boy's parents initially took him to Franklin Square Hospital Center after he was burned, and the hospital's emergency room had to be evacuated because they tracked some of the drain cleaner in with them, Robinson said.

The boy was then taken to the pediatric burn unit at Johns Hopkins Hospital.

The person or persons responsible will face charges including first-degree assault, burglary and destruction of property, said Sgt. Vickie Warehime, a county police spokeswoman.

"We're very lucky nobody else used that playground today," Warehime said. "We could have had numerous victims."

Someone kicked in the door to a storage room at Victory Villa Elementary School sometime overnight, Warehime said. Investigators found that six bottles of drain cleaner had been opened.

Whoever is responsible most likely suffered minor burns to the hands and arms, Warehime said. Anyone with information was asked to call police.

A hazardous materials team cleaned up the playground, using tens of thousands of gallons of water, Robinson said.

Acid also found at Texas playground 
'It's obvious someone had inappropriate intentions'

Officials continued to look for answers Friday after acid was found in a Leander park and a child was treated for minor burns.

Leander firefighters arrived at the Westwood community pool park about 7:45 p.m. Thursday and found muriatic acid, or hydrochloric acid, scattered across the grass, a slide and benches.

A 2-year-old girl was treated at the scene for minor burns she suffered after playing on a slide.

Officials said they found two empty gallon containers of the acid in the park.

The chemical is used as a household cleaner or to maintain the pH balance in swimming pools.

"We determined there was a much bigger problem with muriatic acid spread out all over the park," Leander Fire Lt. Chris Heisler said. "Here in a playground, having that out here, it's obvious someone had inappropriate intentions."

Fire department officials referred all questions about the investigation to police and would not identify the injured 2-year-old. Leander police did not return repeated calls for comment Friday.

In front of the park is a community pool surrounded by a 6-foot iron gate.

The pool, which has been closed for the season, will open next month.

Jerry Pulido, who lives next door to the park, has three children, two of whom spend most afternoons on the park's playground.

"This has always been a safe neighborhood, but now I feel like I have to look over the park before the kids come and play," Pulido said Friday outside of his home.

"I was out here yesterday sliding down the slide and swinging on the swings," said his 8-year-old daughter, Deyra Pulido. "I'm probably going to ask my dad if I can come play here now because I don't want to get burned."

One resident said the park is popular with neighborhood children. "It's scary that somebody's going to pour acid on a slide," Trish Siler said. "Kids are always there."

That's horrible!

MMmmm.... this remind me of "Law and Orders" T.V. show.

Pure evil!