Robert Bligen was arrested and charged with the burning of a 10-year-old local neighborhood boy for not selling drugs for him. Bligen attempted to recruit the youngster to sell the drugs for him near his home, but the boy simply walked away. Then Bligen proceeded to burn the boy with cigarettes on his face, shoulders and back more than 50 times.

The boy, whose identity was not released, was treated and released from the hospital after his grandfather contacted the police. At first the boy claimed his injuries were caused by fights with other kids.

Bligen is being held in the Pinellas County jail on a $50,000 bond.