In a stark courtroom admission, Tucson resident Pablo Martinez Jr. has pleaded guilty to the second-degree murder of a 6-year-old child, a crime that took place in 2019 involving the harrowing use of a running bath faucet. 37-year-old Martinez confessed on Monday to holding the child's face under the stream of water for a period of between five to ten minutes, according to KVOA. The tragic incident resulted in the victim, who was a member of the Pascua Yaqui Indian Tribe, inhaling water so hot it caused severe liquid thermal burns leading to death.

The heinous act, carried out under the guise of giving a bath, was initially investigated by tribal police and later by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. As reported by 12 News, Martinez's conviction could lead to a maximum sentence of life in prison, along with a fine of $250,000, and an additional five years of supervised release after having confessed to the murder. The relationship between the Tucson man and the young victim was not specified by officials; the child's name has also been withheld out of respect for their privacy.

As the legal proceedings move forward, attention now turns to the scheduled sentencing slated for July 5, 2024.