TROY, Mo. (AP) — An eastern Missouri man is accused of felony child abuse after police say he burned his girlfriend’s 6-year-old daughter with a nightlight bulb.

Prosecutors in Lincoln County have charged 33-year-old Michael Gilbert of Elsberry with felony abuse or neglect of a child. He’s free on $7,500 bond.

Authorities allege that after seeing the girl try to ignite a piece of paper with the nightlight, Gilbert unplugged the light and touched the bulb to the girl’s leg.

Police say Gilbert insisted he did that to show the girl that things get hot, unaware the bulb would leave her with second-degree burns.