A new children’s trend, the "Hot Water Challenge," has resulted in at least one death and various other serious injuries.
Most recently, 11-year-old Jamoneisha Merritt from The Bronx, was rushed to the burn unit after friend’s allegedly poured boiling hot water over her. The incident took place Monday during a sleepover, NY1 News reported.
Jamoneisha’s friends were attempting to complete the challenge, which calls for youths to throw hot water on an unsuspecting person.
Jamoneisha Merritt’s mother, Ebony Merritt, told NY1 News that her daughter did not understand why these friends had done this.
"She's very sad. She's emotionally messed up," said Ebony Merritt.
"They've been on Snapchat. It's been going on several times. The girl admitted it. 'I don't like her. I wanted to do it.'"
In July a 10-year-old Cleveland County boy, Wesley Smith, sustained second- and third-degree burns while attempting the "Hot Water Challenge" with his brother.
His mother, Rhonda Daugherty, told WBTV that Wesley had to spend several weeks in a Winston Salem Burn Center and would need skin grafts and multiple surgeries.
One incident turned fatal when 8-year-old Florida resident Ki’ari Pope died from burn injuries sustained in March.
According to CBS12, she and her cousins had been watching videos on YouTube and had come across footage of others participating in the "Hot Water Challenge" before Ki'ari drank boiling water through a straw.
Pope’s aunt, Diane Johnson, told CBS that the eight-year-old was prompted by her cousins to do the challenge.
""They dared her and she said, 'OK, I’m going to show y’all I’m not scared, I’m going to do this.’"
According to reports, Pope had sustained multiple burn wounds to her mouth and throat, which she succumbed to almost three weeks later.
Relatives of these children are encouraging parents to be vigilant.
"Tell your kids about these challenges. These challenges are horrific," Johnson said to CBS12.
Wesley Smith’s stepfather, Jimmy Daugherty, told WBTV that parents need to monitor their children.
"Watch what your kids are doing on the Internet," he said.
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