The Region : Man Convicted in Acid Attack on Girl, 4

Former mental patient Mark E. Hand, 26, was convicted by a jury in Santa Ana of throwing acid at a 4-year-old girl in a women’s restroom at a Buena Park public park. Hand, of Whittier, then withdrew his insanity plea, clearing the way for his sentencing next month in Orange County Superior Court. Defense attorney Diana Polos said she was “very surprised” by her client’s sudden switch. She said he changed his mind upon realizing that he could be sent to a state mental hospital for an indefinite period--possibly the rest of his life. He now faces a maximum of 15 years in prison for the attack last January on little Rachel Ogawa and her mother, Elaine, of La Habra. The child suffered severe face, body and throat burns from the acetic acid, but is recovering.