Nationwide — Ashtyn Pitts, a 9-year-old African American boy from Jena, Louisiana, was severely burned after his metal necklace got tangled in his tablet charger while he was asleep. His family says the freak accident caused a small fire that left him with serious injuries to his face and neck.
The incident happened around 5 a.m. on October 12 while Ashtyn was sleeping with his tablet charging beside him. His mother, Lauren Morrow, said the charger somehow wrapped around his necklace and sparked a fire. “The only way I know how to explain it is that it was a freak accident,” she said, according to People.
Ashtyn woke up to a loud bang and felt intense pain around his neck. “I started shaking, and I was screaming ‘Help,’” he said. Thinking someone had broken into their home, he and his brother ran to their parents for help.
Morrow said the necklace “heated up tremendously, which caused severe burns, and he was electrocuted.” Photos shared by the family show visible burns on Ashtyn’s neck and face.
He was taken to a hospital in Shreveport, where he was treated in the burn unit and pediatric intensive care unit. Morrow said the experience left her shaken. “To say I was terrified is an understatement. I can’t even explain the emotions I felt and the nightmares I’m still having because of this,” she said. “We could be planning a funeral right now.”
After weeks of recovery, Ashtyn has returned to school and is happy to see his friends again. His mother said he is still dealing with panic and trauma but continues to heal both physically and emotionally.
The family now hopes their story will raise awareness about safe charging habits. The National Fire Protection Association warns against charging devices on beds, couches, or under pillows. “We just want to share his story for awareness in hopes that it will potentially save lives,” Morrow says. “Please let this be a lesson to everyone.”