A Lincoln man accused of using a cigarette to burn a 16-month-old girl has pleaded guilty to felony child abuse.
Twenty-three-year-old LaDeryl Lathan made the plea on Monday and is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 6.
Deputy Lancaster County Attorney Bruce Prenda says Lathan had been baby-sitting his girlfriend's daughter on July 30. Prenda says Lathan told the woman when she came home that the girl had picked up his cigarette, which contained an illegal synthetic drug, and burned herself on her face, lips, neck, a leg and an arm.
The mother took the little girl to a hospital on July 31. Authorities say doctors reported those injuries and chest bruising and wrist fractures to police.
