An 11-year-old girl was severely burned when her friends poured scalding hot water on her as part of a cruel social media stunt.
The stunt was reportedly part of a social media phenomenon called the “hot water challenge,” in which an unsuspecting victim gets hot water thrown at them while the whole event is filmed.
The girl, identified as Jamoneisha Merritt, suffered burns to to her face chest, back and shoulders early Monday morning.
Police have arrested and charged the 12-year-old girl who allegedly dumped the water on her.
“It don’t make sense,” Merritt’s cousin Starshanae Nixon said. “You don’t do that to a person. They was best friends.”
The heinous act was apparently part of a moronic stunt known as the “hot water challenge,” in which an unsuspecting person has boiling hot water dumped on them. In other variations, people willingly try to consume boiling water, police sources said.
Her uncle said outside the hospital that the girl was doing well but was not aware of the damage done to her.
“I think the only reason why she in good spirits is because she don’t actually see the damage done to her,” Eugene Dalmida, 52, told The Post.
“They ain’t letting her see her face. I can’t bear to look at her… It gets me too upset.”
Merritt had been invited to the sleepover party Sunday night at an apartment near the corner of Findlay Ave. and E. 166th St. in Concourse Village, police said.
As she was sleeping, the girl poured the water on Merritt, who was forced awake by the searing pain caused by the hot water.
Merritt is currently receiving treatment at Harlem Hospital for her injuries.
The 12-year-old who dumped the water has been charged with felony assault, police said.
