TIFTON, Ga. (WALB/Gray News) – A 12-year-old boy from Georgia is recovering from severe burns after Tifton police say three of his friends dumped scalding water on him.
According to the boy’s friends, it was supposed to be a prank.
All three, who are between the ages of 12 and 15 years old, are now facing serious charges.
The 12-year-old victim has second-degree burns on most of his face.
His mother wants to keep his identity hidden, but still wanted to share his story.
“I mean, I really can’t describe it now. In that moment, I was just mad, hurt, in shock, everything,” the boy’s mother, Tiffany West, said. “I was seeing red. I was just trying to hurry up and get him some help.”
West says her son was in a neighbor’s apartment after a sleepover with other kids playing video games. The boy was asleep when another child threw the hot water on him, the mother said.
“He was transported to the burn center in Augusta. He had to have surgery. Of course, he is out of surgery and is recovering at home now, but it is going to take him 12 to 14 days to heal,” West said.
WARNING: This video contains images that some may find disturbing.
“You got to be in shock to know your friends are capable of doing this to you, somebody you trusted. It’s just horrible,” the victim’s aunt, Nachelle, added. “He never thought something like this would happen to him.”
The victim’s family is desperately seeking justice.
Between recovery and paying the bills, they know they have a long road ahead of them.
“My brother and Tiffany have been out of work since this happened with all the traveling. She is still going to be out of work to take care of him while he is recovering. She needs to be here for him,” Nachelle said. “Mentally, he is going to have to get counseling to be able to trust people again.”
According to the victim’s family, the other three boys were released to their families and are awaiting their hearing, which will take place in about a month.
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