A terrifying nighttime accident left an eight-year-old boy from Kansas with severe burns and fighting for his life after he was electrocuted in his sleep. The freak incident occurred when his metal chain necklace became lodged between his phone charger and an extension cord.
A Night of Chaos and Pain
Lorenzo Lopez was asleep on November 20 when he suddenly awoke to a shocking and fiery scene. He found part of his T-shirt on fire and his body being jolted by a powerful electric current. Speaking from his hospital bed, Lorenzo told local media he "thought I was going to die," describing the experience as "just scary." He added, "It was chaos, but I do remember some of it."
His mother, Kourtney Pendleton, explained how the unlikely accident unfolded. "Lorenzo rolled over in his sleep and his chain necklace just happened to fall in between where the gap was on the extension cord and the charger, which is what shocked him," she said. She praised her son's quick thinking, stating that had he not pulled the chain off, he would have been electrocuted to death. Lorenzo himself echoed this, saying, "I guess I saved myself and I'm happy about that."
Severe Injuries and Ongoing Recovery
The powerful electric shock caused serious burns across the boy's torso, neck, and hands. A particularly deep burn mark was left on his skin where the chain had rested. The injuries were so severe that doctors scheduled him for skin graft surgery. Kourtney shared that surgeons would take skin from his scalp, legs, and feet for the procedure.
In emotional social media posts, his mother shared photos of the injuries and wrote that her son was enduring "excruciating pain." She added, "What he's going through I would never wish on anyone." A GoFundMe campaign was quickly launched to help the family cover the mounting medical expenses. Kourtney told supporters that doctors expect Lorenzo to remain in the hospital for at least two weeks.
A Mother's Warning to All Parents
Kourtney Pendleton has turned this traumatic event into a crucial warning for other families. She described it as "a terrifying, freak accident that could have happened to anyone." Her urgent plea to other parents is clear: "Parents, please, please don't let your kids sleep with electronics or charging cords on their bed. It's not worth the risk."
In an update to the fundraiser on November 28, she reported that Lorenzo's skin graft surgery was successful, but the brave boy remained "in a lot of pain." She wrote, "He's fighting through every moment with so much courage. This has been such a heavy and emotional journey, but he's holding on with a strength that inspires all of us."
