Boy Burned for Not Selling Drugs

A man has been charged with burning a 10-year-old boy more than 50 times with cigarettes because the child was playing with friends instead of selling drugs,
authorities said.

Robert Bligen, 46, recruited the child to sell drugs near his home, but when the boy would walk away, Bligen burned him on his face, shoulders and back, police said. The unidentified child was
treated at a hospital and released.

Bligen was charged Wednesday with aggravated child abuse. Authorities believe other children may have been involved.

"I don't think I've ever seen one 10 years old before," police spokesman William Proffitt said.

The boy's grandmother noticed the burns and called police. The child initially told authorities he received the injuries during a
fight with other children.

Bligen was being held at the Pinellas County jail on $50,000 bond.