A 10-year-old boy with special needs was reportedly set on fire Sunday by three young boys in Kerrville, Texas, suffering first- and second-degree burns over more than 20 percent of his body.
Kayden Culp was placed in an induced coma after the attack, and one of the boys suspected in the incident was taken into custody Wednesday and charged with first-degree arson, Fox News reported.
Kayden was playing outside when he was allegedly lured to a shack, doused with gasoline, and set on fire.
“It was hard for us to allow him to go play,” his aunt, Tanya Kasper, told Fox News. “He wasn’t a regular 10-year-old; you didn’t know who really had good intentions for him.”
The family thinks the incident was premeditated and is hoping for additional charges against the boys, ages 9, 10, and 11.
“We want to keep in mind that these are kids, and they do need help,” Kasper told Fox News of the perpetrators. “We just want the proper justice done.”
Kayden remained on life support Wednesday, with his condition deteriorating and his organs failing, CBS Austin reported.
According to his mother, Kayden exhibits autistic behavior and has trouble speaking and hearing.
"He needs justice," Ashley White, a family friend, told CBS Austin. "I mean, no kid deserves to go through anything he’s going through. At all. Period."
A YouCaring crowdfunding campaign raised about $130,000 as of Thursday afternoon to help with Kayden's care and medical expenses.
Twitter users were horrified by the incident.
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