“Don’t play with fire!” How many times did our parents and teachers tell us this when we were kids?
For a 7-year-old American boy named Julien, he learned this lesson the hard way, although he himself wasn’t playing with fire…
The Kansas City Star reported on the gruesome incident where Julien was doused in nail polish remover and set on fire by a boy who lived next to him.
Julien, who lives in Missouri, was hospitalized with severe burns to his face and arms, reports the Kansas City Star.
Julien was playing outside his parents’ house when an 8-year-old boy who lived next to him threw nail polish remover on him.
Julien’s mother, Ashley Lyons, told the Kansas City Star that Julien “kept telling him to leave him alone.”
Set on fire
However, the boy did not stop and set Julien on fire with a candle.
Julien caught on fire.
Fortunately, another neighbor rushed to the little boy with a wet towel and was able to prevent the burns from getting worse.
Reports suggest Julien inhaled the flames, meaning his lungs may have also been affected.
Mother wasn’t home
Julien’s mother, Ashley, was not at home at the time and was only allowed to see her son at Children’s Mercy Hospital after emergency surgery was performed. She said it was excruciatingly painful for her and her son was scared.
Why the neighbor boy went after young Julien is still unclear, but Julien’s mother believes the attacker’s mother was present but did nothing to help Julien.
Despite his shock and the scars on his face, Julien is doing well given the circumstances.
Julien’s mother said it would take two to three years for his skin to fully recover, adding that skin grafts could be challenging because his lungs could collapse.
We can’t imagine the pain young Julien had to endure and we hope his physical and mental scars heal as quickly as possible.
Julien’s mother has launched a GoFundMe page to raise money for her son’s medical expenses, of which over $65,000 has already been raised.
Please share this article to help us wish Julien all the best and a very speedy recovery.
