A young boy from Kansas is recovering in hospital after a terrifying nighttime accident where he was electrocuted in his own bed. The incident, which occurred on November 20, serves as a stark warning to parents everywhere about the hidden dangers of common household electronics.
A Terrifying Nighttime Ordeal
Lorenzo Lopez, an eight-year-old boy, was sleeping when his chain necklace accidentally slipped and became caught between his phone charger and an extension cable. The metal created a circuit, sending a powerful electric shock through his body.
Lorenzo woke up to a scene of chaos, feeling excruciating pain and discovering his t-shirt was on fire. In a moment of incredible presence of mind, the terrified boy, though unable to scream, managed to pull the chain from his neck, breaking the electrical connection. Speaking from his hospital bed to news channel KWCH, Lorenzo recalled the fear, saying he "thought I was going to d!e" and described the entire event as "just scary."
Severe Burns and a Long Road to Recovery
The electrical shock left Lorenzo with significant burns across his body, neck, and hands. His mother, Kourtney Pendleton, shared that the burns were so severe that her son now requires skin graft surgery. Doctors plan to take skin from his scalp, legs, and feet for the procedure.
Kourtney posted images on social media showing the deep burns on Lorenzo's torso and a severe singe mark around his neck where the chain made contact. She stated that doctors expect his hospital stay to last at least two weeks as he begins the painful recovery process. "This is taking quite an emotional toll on him but he’s fighting hard like the tough, brave little boy he is — a true survivor," his mother wrote.
A Mother's Warning to All Parents
Kourtney Pendleton emphasized that this was a "terrifying, freak accident that could have happened to anyone." She credits her son's quick action with saving his own life, stating, "Had he not pulled that chain off, he would have been electrocuted to de@th. So he basically saved his own life." Lorenzo echoed this sentiment, simply saying, "I guess I saved myself and I’m happy about that."
Her message to other parents is clear and urgent. "Parents — please, please don’t let your kids sleep with electronics or charging cords on their bed. It’s not worth the risk," she pleaded. This shocking incident highlights a critical, often overlooked aspect of child safety in the digital age, where common devices like phone chargers can pose a lethal hazard when combined with everyday items like metal jewelry.
