Florida deputies searching for man who put 3-year-old girl in hot oven

By: Stephanie Staudinger

Posted: Jan 24, 2018 2:47 PM CDT

DELAND, Fla. — Deputies are searching for a Florida man they say beat a 3-year-old girl and put her in a hot oven. The Volusia County Sheriff's Office say they were called to the victim's home by an investigator with the state Department of Children and Families, where the girl reported that 45-year-old Terry May also struck her with a belt.

May is sought on a charge of child abuse. Deputies did not say if he is related to the victim.

The girl's injuries include "an extensive abrasion on her ear" described in a statement by the sheriff's office as "consistent with a burn injury," as well as contusions and swelling on her head, a six inch scar on her back, and other abrasions and lacerations.

Anyone with information May is asked to contact the Volusia County Sheriff's Office at (386) 248-1777. Anonymous tips can be submitted via Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida, (888) 277-TIPS or westopcrime.com.