Trey West, a 12-year-old from Georgia, is healing after a frightening prank during a sleepover left him with severe burns on his face. On New Year’s Day, Trey was at a neighbor’s apartment in Tifton, enjoying a night of video games with three friends aged between 12 and 15. While he was asleep, one of the boys poured boiling water over him, causing second-degree burns.
Trey’s mother, Tiffany West, recalls the shock and pain of the moment: “I was seeing red. I was just trying to get him help as fast as I could.” Trey was rushed to a hospital where he underwent surgery at a burn center in Augusta. Medical experts say second-degree burns cause significant pain and can leave scars that may fade over years.
Though the physical injuries are serious, the emotional impact is also profound. Trey’s aunt, Nachelle Austile, shares that Trey seems numb, struggling to process how friends could do this to him. The three boys responsible were arrested but released to their families pending court hearings.
The community has come together to support Trey and his family, sending donations and kind messages. Tiffany expressed deep gratitude on Facebook for the outpouring of love and prayers. She calls her son a “warrior” and celebrates his progress: “He’s recovering beautifully and may return to school soon.”
A heartfelt video shows Trey smiling and dancing with his sister, a hopeful sign of healing. This incident reminds everyone of the serious consequences of careless pranks and the need to teach empathy and responsibility among youth.
