Inmate Charged in Death of 3-Year-Old Missouri boy

An inmate has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of a 3-year-old western Missouri boy.

The Joplin Globe reports 32-year-old Jerry Penticuff is currently serving a three-year sentence at the Boonville Correctional Center for distribution of a controlled substance.

Nevada police on Thursday announced the charge against Penticuff, who had been left to care for Ethan Warner last year. Ethan was taken to the Nevada Regional Medical Center on Oct. 29 after his mother returned home, discovering on her son what appeared to be burns caused by hot water.

Ethan was later flown to the Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri, where he died Nov. 2.

Police say Ethan's mother has been cleared of any wrongdoing.

It wasn't immediately known if Penticuff has an attorney.