John Jefferson
Insets: Tiffany West’s 12-year-old son who suffered second-degree burns on his face after an alleged prank went wrong during a sleepover (WALB/YouTube). Background: The apartment where Tiffany West’s son was burned (WALB/YouTube).
A group of young boys in Georgia, ages 12 to 15, are facing charges for allegedly dumping hot water on one of their “friends” in a sleepover prank gone wrong, according to police and the victim’s family.
“You got to be in shock to know your friends are capable of doing this to you,” the victim‘s aunt, Nachelle Austille, told local NBC and ABC affiliate WALB. “Like somebody you trusted. It’s just horrible. He never thought something like this would happen to him.”
Tiffany West, the victim’s mother, told the local station that her son, age 12, was at a sleepover at one of their neighbor’s apartments in Tifton — about 180 miles south of Atlanta — when his friends allegedly set upon him. It’s unclear when the sleepover occurred as West is choosing to keep certain details private.
She says hearing about what happened to her son, who suffered second-degree burns on most of his face, upset her deeply.
“I mean, I really can’t describe it now,” West said. “In that moment I was just mad, hurt, in shock. Everything, I was seeing red. I was just trying to hurry up and get him some help.”
Police have confirmed the details of the incident to WALB, saying three minors were charged and released to their families. It’s unclear what the charges are. West shared photos with WALB over the weekend of her son in recovery.
“He was transported to the burn center in Augusta,” she said of the aftermath. “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 12-14 days to heal.”
West and the boy’s aunt both note how he’s kept quiet about what happened and his situation. “He just don’t have no emotions about it,” Austille said. “He’s numb. He’s numb about it.”
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WALB reports that the three boys who were charged for the incident are awaiting their first hearing, which is expected to take place sometime in the next month.
West on Facebook says people have been reaching out to her and showing “love” to her family and son, whom she described as a “warrior” in a Jan. 3 post.
“Words can’t describe how Thankful I am for each & every one of you!” West wrote. “It brings tears to my eyes to know that SO many people care for me & my son & we are not alone in this! I drop to my knees every day Thanking God that my baby is still here & he is going to be ok bc it could have been worse! … My son is a Warrior & he has been so Strong! … Every donation, gift, encouraging words & prayer put a SMILE on my son face! Again, God Bless you all!”
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