Kids are burning each other with boiling water in a deadly “Hot water challenge” YouTube trend

• As seen in YouTube and Twitter videos, the “hot water challenge” involves surprising a friend by burning them with boiling water.
  
• Another variation includes challenging someone to drink boiling hot water through a straw or pouring boiling water on themselves.
  
• 8-year-old Ki’ari Pope’s cousin dared her to sip boiling water through a straw back in March. She obliged and suffered burns in her mouth and throat, requiring a tracheotomy. In July, she complained that she couldn’t breathe and later died. (Palm Beach Post, GoFundMe)
  
• In addition to Pope, the trend has left several kids with serious injuries.
  
• Jamoneisha Merritt, 11, was at a sleepover Sunday night when her friends poured boiling water over her face as she slept. She suffered extreme injuries and may be left permanently disfigured.
  
• North Carolina 10-year-old Wesley Smith also suffered severe burns after attempting the challenge with his stepbrother, the boy’s mother told WNCN.com, a CBS affiliate.
  
• Parents have begun speaking out about the challenge. Read more (8/10/17)