An Augusta mother faces a child cruelty charge after her unattended 11-year-old son set himself on fire Wednesday, the Augusta Chronicle reported.

Authorities told the newspaper the child was home with his 3-year-old sister when he put rubbing alcohol on himself and lit it in their apartment. Police said the child was attempting to perform the “Fire Challenge,” a viral social media stunt in which participants record themselves pouring flammable liquid on their bodies and then igniting it.

Authorities received a call about the fire and the boy was taken to the hospital with first- and second-degree burns to his face and chest, the Chronicle reported. He is expected to survive.

The child’s mother, 29-year-old Mattelyn Parks, was arrested on one count of first-degree cruelty to children, Richmond County jail records show. It’s unclear where she was at the time of the fire. She did not have a bond as of Thursday afternoon.

In other news: 

State can do about 50 tests a day for the virus, by next week will be able to do 100 tests a day.

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An image of fallen DeKalb firefighter Preston Fant is displayed as metro Atlanta firefighters and the community come together for a memorial service in his honor at Truist Park, Thursday, September 18, 2025, in Atlanta. The 21-year firefighting veteran died Sept. 8 after battling a fire at a film company warehouse. He became trapped in the blaze while trying to rescue another firefighter. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

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