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A 15-year-old boy was hospitalized Monday evening after he dared a friend to light him on fire in a Pine Hills neighborhood, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.
A group of teenagers was playing a game in which they dared each other to perform stunts at about 7 p.m. on Forestdale Drive, near North Pine Hills and Indian Hill roads.
The boy doused himself with a flammable liquid and instructed his friend to set his clothes on fire, according to Jane Watrel, an OCSO spokeswoman.
“The friend did as he was told, and the victim received burns on his arms and back,” Watrel said.
The injured boy, Roberts Seals, was taken to a local hospital, where the family said he was suffering from serious burns. His mother said he has bad burns to his throat and face, including his ears and nose.
Lisa Oliphant said Seals is her nephew. She said she saw her nephew running toward her, screaming in pain.
“I saw the little boy go up, dash something on my nephew and I seen a spark,” Oliphant said. “He's burnt. His chest, hair, arms and everything.”
Seal's singed clothes were seen lying in the street.
“That's his shirt right here, and you still could smell it,” Oliphant said. “You can smell that it was on fire.”
Neighbors said the children were participating in a dangerous online challenge.
“I'm scared for my daughter to be playing out here knowing kids are lighting other kids on fire,” neighbor Esther Ruiz said. “You want to challenge somebody to do something? Challenge them to get an education, do something with themselves.”
A family member said Seal hasn't been able to speak since the incident, so they have not been able to hear his explanation of what happened.
She said he was being prepared for a flight to an out-of-state hospital specializing in burns.
No charges are pending, according to sheriff's officials.
