Lakiesha Belin and Justin Charles, the parents of 8-year-old Jayceon Charles, are demanding answers after their son sustained severe burns during a sleepover at a friend’s house in Warren, Arkansas. Reportedly, mom and dad allowed Jayceon to spend the night at his friend’s house on Aug. 9 so that he could join their family on a trip to Magic Springs, a local amusement park the following day. However, they became alarmed went heir son called them during his sleepover and quickly hung up the phone. When his father called back, the parents heard Jayceon screaming in the background.
Lakiesha and Justin rushed to the house where they found their son covered in Vaseline and plastic wrap.
According to the family at the home, Jayceon was roasting hot dogs with his friend when an explosion happened and caused severe burns to the 8-year-old. Lakiesha and Justin, who questioned why the family neglected to call 911, promptly rushed their son to the hospital.
The devastated parents tell WKRC that over 80% of the child’s body was burned and that he suffered kidney failure and brain damage. The couple also says that their boy had a large portion of his small intestine removed and has undergone several surgeries. To make matters more frightening, during his hospital stay the third grader was put on a ventilator and had to be resuscitated twice.
“My biggest fear is that my child might not be the same person that he was at first,” Belin told KARK.
Earl Charles, Jayceon’s grandfather, said the family reached out to the police, but officers haven’t contacted anyone for interviews or reviewed medical records. The child’s loved ones believe they may be facing discrimination because they are Black and the other family is white.
“The stories that’s been told never sat right with me from the beginning,” he said in a Facebook video according to Atlanta Black Star. “I never understood why so many people dropped the ball and just didn’t show any concern.”
Jayceon’s parents also suspect the other family, saying they might be covering up what really happened at the home. Jayceon’s father echoes the sentiment that everyone involved dropped the ball.
“I really feel like it should’ve been investigated from day one when we came in the hospital,” said the father. “They didn’t even call the police at the hospital.”
Two months since the traumatic incident and Jayceon is slowly recovering from his injuries. However, he still has a long way to go. The family remains optimistic and has taken to social media to thank the community for their ongoing support.
The Charles family says they are still struggling to get answers from authorities but were told Thursday that Arkansas State Police will be taking over the investigation.
They have since set up a GoFundMe page as they seek help with Jayceon’s ongoing medical expenses.
