Lawsuit claims Rio's hot coffee burned baby

An Arizona couple filed a lawsuit in District Court claiming their 11-month-old daughter was burned when hot coffee spilled on her in the Rio hotel-casino's coffee shop.

Chiara Ethen and her family were at the Rio's coffee shop in December 1996 when the child grabbed a coffee mug and accidentally spilled its contents, according to Thursday's court filing.

The child received second- and third-degree burns to her thighs.

The lawsuit argues that there were no restraints on the baby's Rio-provided restaurant chair to prevent her from reaching the coffee cup.

The family is seeking unspecified damages and reimbursement for medical bills in addition to lawyer's fees.

Gary Thompson, a spokesman for Rio owner Harrah's Entertainment, declined to comment, saying the company does not discuss pending legal matters.

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