Houston Father Admits to Putting Baby in Refrigerator Before Microwave

Additional Details Released Regarding Abuse of Newborn Baby

Additional details regarding the abuse of baby Ana Marie were released following testimony from Holly Johnson, the police detective who interviewed Joshua Mauldin. Mauldin admitted last week that he placed his 2-month-old baby in the microwave after he became stressed and frustrated when caring for her.

According to the Houston Chronicle, Detective Johnson testified that Mauldin first threw the baby on one of the beds in the hotel room. He then confessed to striking her in the groin, placing her in the hotel room safe, and then putting her in the refrigerator prior to placing her in the microwave oven. The baby was treated at Shriners Burn Hospital for third degree burns on her face and hands.

Initially, it was also suspected that she had sustained internal injuries but further examination indicated that she did not. In an interview with the Houston Chronicle, Gwen Carter, a spokeswoman for CPS, indicated that the baby was improving and that she had been responsive to hospital staff. She was released from the hospital on Monday and placed in a foster home.

The baby's mother, Eva Marie Mauldin, has defended her husband and blames Satan for his actions. In an interview with KHOU TV in Houston, she said that Satan attacked her husband because he saw him as a threat and because he did not approve of her husband seeking work as a minister. She has indicated that she will fight for custody of her daughter and also set up a MySpace web page with the title "Joshua Mauldin is not a Monster" to gain support for her cause.

A mediation hearing with CPS is scheduled today to discuss the custody of the baby. CPS is working to have the parental rights of both parents removed. If the mediation is not successful, a hearing will take place in family court later this week.

A competency hearing has also been scheduled for Joshua Mauldin on July 13, 2007 to determine if he is fit to stand trial. He reportedly has a history of depression and was taking medication at the time when the incident occurred.