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Police: Mother's boyfriend burned 6-year-old with cigarette

PALM BAY, Fla. — A 6-year-old boy was burned with a cigarette by his mother's live-in boyfriend, the Palm Bay Police Department said.

Police said the child told multiple classmates that Steven Jackson, 25, put a lit cigarette on the boy's arm as punishment for receiving a poor discipline report from his school.

After receiving a medical examination, the boy's story was confirmed and officers went to the home to investigate.

When detectives arrived at the home, they said they found it in filthy condition, without power and infested with cockroaches and other bugs.

Police said Jackson was given permission by his mother Carolyn Karsk, 29, to discipline the boy.

The boy and his 7-year-old brother were removed from the home by the Department of Children and Families.

Jackson was arrested on charges of child abuse and child neglect, police said.

Charges against Karsk are pending.