SAN ANTONIO — Early Tuesday morning, police found a 2-year-old boy and a 13-year-old boy badly burned after a woman allegedly threw boiling water on them inside a home on the city’s Northeast Side. The shocking incident unfolded just after 1:15 a.m. in the 3800 block of Maverick Creek, leaving neighbors shaken and investigators scrambling for answers.
San Antonio officers rushed to the house after a call about injured children, and what they found was horrifying. The young boys were in a bedroom when 33-year-old Stacy L. Gilbert allegedly walked in and poured scalding water on them for reasons police have not yet explained. Both children had burn wounds across their bodies and were immediately taken to a local hospital for emergency care.
Police described the burns as serious, though officials haven’t publicly shared details about the boys’ current condition. The attack appeared deliberate, and Gilbert was arrested on the spot. She now faces two felony counts: injury to a child causing reckless bodily injury and injury to a child with intent to cause bodily injury.
People living near Maverick Creek told local news crews they were disturbed but not entirely surprised by the violence. Several said police had been called to the residence before and that they had occasionally seen the children playing outside in unsafe conditions. One neighbor said it was hard to understand how anyone could hurt kids like that, pointing out, “They’re kids. There should be no reason.”
Court records show Gilbert is being held at the Bexar County Adult Detention Center on bond. At last check, bond was listed between $30,000 and $60,000 depending on the report, and she is barred from owning firearms if released. Her next court date, a pre-indictment hearing, is set for April 20.
Officials haven’t confirmed what, if any, relationship Gilbert had with the victims. Child Protective Services and police are reviewing the situation as part of an ongoing investigation, and authorities haven’t ruled out additional charges.
Neighbors say the community is struggling with mixed feelings — horror at the act and concern for the surviving children. As the hospital treats their burns and trauma teams stand ready to help, San Antonio residents hope for answers and accountability in the weeks ahead.
