FIU player burned after girlfriend douses him with boiling water

Mary Gaspar arrested; Panthers tight end Jonnu Smith to miss rest of season

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. ā€“ The collegiate career of one of Florida International University's top players is over after he was burned when his girlfriend poured boiling water over his head.

FIU Panthers tight end Jonnu Smith suffered severe burns to his head, neck, back, shoulder and arm.

The incident occurred on Halloween at the university's Parkview dorms.

Smith's girlfriend, Mary Gaspar, 20, was arrested on a charge of aggravated battery. Gaspar is reportedly five months pregnant with Smith's child.

Local 10 News learned that Gaspar is a third-year student who lives on campus.

According to the arrest report, the couple had been arguing in Smith's on-campus dorm room when GasparĀ boiled the pot of water, walked over and poured it on Smith.

Gaspar said she was angered over Smith's "lack of attention" over their relationship and was feeling "extremely emotional and stressed."

Gaspar began hitting Smith when he didn't react strongly enough to the water, the report said.

"Just because of lack of attention, I don't think that was right. And it's sad that his career is over basically because of that," FIU student Anne Ribage said.

Gaspar appeared in bond court after her arrest, where she was ordered to stay away from her boyfriend.

"You must stay away from him. Is that clear?" Miami-Dade County Judge Mindy Glazer said.

"Yes," Gaspar responded.Ā 

Glazer warned Gaspar that she would not hesitate to put her back behind bars if she failed to follow orders given upon being released from jail.

"You're going to be locked up in jail until the trial, and I'm sure you don't want to be giving birth to a baby while you're in jail," Glazer said.

Smith, a senior, finishes his FIU career fifth in receptions and third in touchdown catches with 17.

The Miami Herald was first to report the story.


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