David Rothenberg Burn Victim

David Rothenberg, who was just 6 years old when he was torched by his father.



The boy suffered third-degree burns over 90% of his body and was not expected to survive.



But he emerged from his hospital bed three months later, wearing a cap given to him by baseball star Reggie Jackson and a mask over his burns.



David was rescued, but with critical burns over 90 percent of his body that left him permanently disfigured. His father, soon arrested, pleaded guilty to attempted murder, saying he had decided that if he could not have the boy, nobody could. He said he had planned to die in the fire with David, but had fled in panic. The police said it had been part of his plan to flee.



Mr. Rothenberg was sentenced to 13 years in prison, the maximum, but was paroled after serving less than seven. The case was the subject of a television movie and three books, including one by Mr. Rothenberg and another by Mrs. Rothenberg.