A middle school student from Richmond, Virginia, has been charged after allegedly setting her 13-year-old classmate's hair on fire during class.
NBC12 reports the incident took place last Wednesday at the John Rolfe Middle School in Henrico County, Virginia. The student is currently being treated at VCU Medical Center for second and third-degree burns and wants to remain unnamed.
"He had long, curly, just a nice head of hair; it was beautiful," his mother said. "All I could hear the teacher say over the phone was something is happening with my son."
Henrico Fire and Police responded around 12:30 p.m. after reports of a victim suffering non-life-threatening burns at John Rolfe Middle School. The school resource officers were able to assist her son until fire department personnel arrived to take him to the hospital.
Administrators told the victim's mother that the school was on lockdown due to COVID-19 contact tracing, which led to his science class eating in the classroom. Her son was about to throw away his tray when another student approached him from behind with a lighter.
"That's when the girl kind of flicked the lighter and lit his hair on fire," the mother said.
The victim's hair, which used to reach past his shoulders, has now been burned to the scalp. In addition to the scarring and blistering on parts of his head, ear, and neck, he also has 2nd and 3rd-degree burns.
"He was hysterical; he looked scared," she said. "His pride emotionally and mentally is broken."
According to the Henrico Citizen, different county agencies are investigating the incident further. Alongside the Henrico PD, Henrico FD and Henrico schools that are assisting with the case.
Debbie George, the principal of John Rolfe Middle School, contacted the parents of the school via an automated phone line to respond to the incident.
"This is Ms. George, principal of John Rolfe Middle school. I'm calling to let you know about an incident that took place in your child's science class today," George said. "A student was burned by a classmate who was playing with a lighter. The injured student was taken to the hospital and is receiving treatment. Here at school, we are reviewing the incident to ensure something like this does not happen again and taking appropriate disciplinary action as necessary. Thank you."
However, the victim's mother does not believe the response has been adequate.
"You can't just brush this under the rug and think that it's going to just go away; it's not," she insisted. "My son is severely hurt, he's suffering, and it's not fair to me; it's not fair to him, so y'all just need to be held accountable."
