10 August, 2017
A little girl's face was left severely mangled after a group of mean girls poured boiling hot water over her head during a sleepover.
Police say a 12-year-old girl was arrested for felony assault in connection with the incident. Authorities said the 11-year-old victim suffered second-degree burns to her face, shoulders, neck and chest.
The one who has completed the challenge, is accused of criminal assault.
According to NY1, the girl, identified as Jamoneisha Merritt, was sleeping but was jolted awake after the water was poured on her.
The family shared a heartbreaking photo of the girl in the burn unit at Harlem Hospital, permanently scarred after she was viciously and intentionally scalded while at a sleepover, surrounded by young girls she considered her friends.
"She's very sad", Ebony told NY1.
Speaking outside the hospital where she is being treated, the victim's uncle said she was doing well but was not aware of the damage done to her.
"She said she was screaming that it was burning", Yolanda said.
Investigators are looking into whether this crime was inspired by an apparent social media trend that's dubbed "the hot water challenge".
"They ain't letting her see her face".
The so-called "game" involves dumping scalding water on an unsuspecting victim, police told the TV station. "She thought they was her friends", the mother said. And they just been bullying her.
She added that her daughter had previously been bullied by the girl who attacked her before inviting Jamoneisha to the party Sunday night. "The girl admitted it, "I don't like her, I wanted to do it".
As the New York Post noted in its report, 8-year-old girl Ki'ari Pope of Florida died last month after being dared to drink boiling water through a straw by her cousin.
