Daijiworld Media Network - Lancaster Township
Lancaster Township, Aug 9: A nine-year-old boy suffered severe burns after his 12-year-old brother poured boiling water on him while he slept, attempting the dangerous social media prank known as the "Hot Water Challenge."
The Lancaster Township Police reported that the older brother heated water in a microwave before dousing his sibling on July 29. The younger boy sustained serious burns to his neck and chest and was rushed to the Lehigh Burn Centre in Allentown for emergency treatment.
The 12-year-old has been arrested and charged with aggravated assault and recklessly endangering his brother. Authorities are urging parents to closely monitor their children’s online activities to prevent such hazardous stunts.
The “Hot Water Challenge” has caused numerous injuries worldwide, with past incidents including severe burns and even death. In 2018, a similar prank in Indianapolis left a 15-year-old with second-degree burns, and in 2017, an eight-year-old girl died after drinking boiling water on a dare.
The boys reportedly discovered the stunt on YouTube and wanted to try it. The injured boy, Kyland Clark, described his injuries, saying, "My skin just fell off my chest... I had skin falling off here and on my face."
Authorities continue to warn about the dangers of viral online challenges that put children’s safety at risk.