Idaho city to pay for children’s chemical burns

The Idaho city Lewiston has decided to pay medical bills for children from two families who suffered chemical burns at a city park.

The Lewiston Tribune reported Thursday that the children were burned after city employees neglected to supervise toxic paint stripper that was applied to graffiti near Pioneer Park’s bathrooms.

City Manager Jim Bennett said the city directed its insurance company to pay the claims after the company originally declined to pay for one of the bills.

The claims filed by Katie Giolitti and Jennifer Kaufman state a 1-year-old girl slipped and fell in the paint stripper, coating her upper leg with the chemical. A 6-year-old girl also stepped in the chemical.

Lewiston police Sgt. Glen Rogers said there was noticeable redness on the 1-year-old’s leg.