Child survives fall into boiling water

Pittsboro, Ind. (WISH) - The odds were against Owen Mahan.

Doctors said if Owen Mahan survived his third degree burns he’d never talk.

His adopted mother, Susan Mahan, says little Owen speaks in full sentences.

And we discovered he’s not afraid to ask questions.

“Are you taking a picture of me?”  He said to one of 24-Hour News 8’s photojournalists.

This Thanksgiving his adopted parents say they have so much to be thankful for.

Doctors also told Owen’s adopted parents his third degree burns would prevent him from walking.

Now, the five-year-old scoots on his knees to get around the family’s two-story home.

Owen’s biological parents told the Mahan’s they stepped away from cleaning a fish tank full of boiling water.

They allege Owen fell in.

That was three years ago.

Until recently, the five-year-old wore a specialized face mask to protect his skin from wrinkling.

“See how smooth his face is here?” Susan Mahan asked while holding Owen in her lap.

“That's why”.

Owen quickly told us, “I didn’t like the mask. We threw it away”.

This winter, Owen is looking forward to wearing an item many take for granted.

“This will be the first time that he has been able to wear gloves,” Susan Mahan said.

“When we got Owen, his hands were closed together.

He had no fingers”.

Indeed, the road to recovery continues for the five-year-old.

The scars covering his entire body are a sign he has been through something terrible.

His parents say Owen will have to have surgeries for the rest of his life.

Yet, he smiles.

Susan Mahan says Owen’s infectious smile is an inspiration.

“No matter how down and out you are there is something to be thankful for,” Susan Mahan said.

“It could be worse”.

Then, Owen, still nestled in her lap reached up hugged her.