NBC) -- His family says it was a mistake. But Kentucky police still charged a Madison County father after his toddler son received second-degree burns from the sun.

Still pictures show blisters on little Elijah Jones back and shoulders.

Police say the burns are the result of playing out in the sun without any protection or sunscreen.

"He bought them a swimming pool that day. He didn't know," said the boy's grandmother Joanie Spivey.

Authorities say his father Bobby Jones, was looking after the child when he played outside for an hour and a half Sunday afternoon.

"He said he didn't know it. It was just a mistake," said Holly Jones, the boy's aunt.

A "mistake" Jones will have to correct in court.

He's charged with criminal abuse for not protecting his son from the sun.

Elijah's mother, Lynette, discovered the burns when she picked him up from his dad's.

The toddler then went to the hospital where his sunburn went from bad to worse.

"I know when he first got the sunburn he didn't have no blisters at all then he went to the emergency room," said Holly Jones.

Joanie Spivey said her son bought Elijah a swimming pool because the toddler wanted one, adding that he would never intentionally hurt his child.

Bobby Jones plead not guilty at his arraignment on Wednesday. He remains jailed and his bond has been set at $7,500.
June /12/08