A harmless sleepover quickly turned into a nightmare for a 12-year-old Georgia boy when a cruel prank by his so-called friends left him with severe burns on his face. What should have been an ordinary night of video games and snacks ended in a painful, life-altering injury—and a long road to recovery.
On New Year’s Day, Trey West was admitted to the hospital with second-degree burns covering a large portion of his face. According to reports from WALB 10, the incident occurred during a sleepover at a neighbor’s apartment in Tifton, Georgia, where Trey was staying with three other boys, ages 12 to 15. While Trey was asleep, one of the other boys reportedly poured boiling hot water over his face. His mother, Tiffany West, described the event as deeply shocking and traumatic, both for her son and the entire family.
“I mean, I really can’t describe it now,” Tiffany said. “In that moment, I was just mad, hurt, in shock.” The pain and disbelief were visible in her voice as she recounted the moment she learned about what had happened to her son. “I was seeing red. I was just trying to hurry up and get him some help.”
Trey sustained second-degree burns, which according to Medical News Today, are known to be extremely painful and often require an extensive healing period. These types of burns typically result in significant scarring that may take years to fade. The injury required immediate medical intervention, and Trey was transported to the burn center in Augusta for surgery.
“He had to have surgery,” his mother confirmed. “He is out of surgery and is recovering at home now. But it’s going to take him 12 to 14 days just for the initial healing process.” The physical pain is just one part of the trauma—there’s also the emotional toll. Trey, only 12 years old, was hurt not just by the boiling water, but by the betrayal of people he considered his friends.
“You’ve got to be in shock to realize your friends are capable of doing something like this to you,” said Nachelle Austile, Trey’s aunt. “He never thought something like this would happen to him.”
Emotionally, Trey remains distant. His aunt shared that when she asks if he’s feeling mad or sad, he seems almost detached. “He just doesn’t have any emotion about it,” she said. Tiffany added, “He’s numb about it.”
The three boys allegedly involved in the prank were arrested following the incident, but they were later released to their families as they await upcoming court hearings. Meanwhile, Trey and his family are working through the challenges of recovery—both the visible and invisible scars.
In the wake of the incident, the local community has stepped in to offer support and kindness. Tiffany expressed her gratitude in a heartfelt Facebook post, thanking everyone who sent donations, messages, and prayers. “I woke up to SO much LOVE being shown to my son!” she wrote. “It brings tears to my eyes to know so many people care for me and my son and that we are not alone in this.”
In the same post, shared on January 3, 2025, Tiffany also expressed her faith and hope for the future. “I drop to my knees every day thanking God that my baby is still here and he is going to be okay, because it could have been so much worse,” she said. She referred to Trey as a “warrior” and spoke about how the outpouring of support had made a noticeable difference in his recovery. “Every donation, gift, encouraging word, and prayer has put a smile on my son’s face!”
Several days later, she shared another update, explaining that Trey was recovering well at home. “My son is recovering beautifully since surgery!” she wrote. “He may be able to go back to school next week after his second follow-up appointment on Tuesday. Occasionally, he does have some challenging moments, but overall, he’s in good spirits.” She also shared that Trey had graduated from sleeping in a recliner to comfortably resting in his own bed again. “I don’t only cry because of sadness and madness, but also because of joy that my baby boy is going to be just fine!”
Perhaps the most touching moment came on January 11, when Tiffany posted a short video clip of Trey smiling and dancing alongside his little sister. His face still showed signs of healing, but the joy in his movements was unmistakable. “Video of my son and his baby sister. He’s healing beautifully! Nobody but God,” she wrote in the caption.
While Trey’s recovery continues, the incident serves as a harsh reminder of the dangers of irresponsible and thoughtless behavior—especially among young people. What some may perceive as a joke or prank can easily spiral into a serious, even life-threatening, situation. As a society, it’s important to teach empathy, responsibility, and accountability from an early age.
This terrifying episode has left a scar, not just on a young boy’s face, but on a family’s trust in others. Yet, it has also brought out the best in the community—a reminder that compassion can shine through even in the darkest moments.
What are your thoughts on this disturbing incident? Do you think enough is being done to prevent these kinds of “pranks” from happening again? Share your perspective—and don’t forget to spread the word by sharing this story with others. The more we talk about it, the more awareness we can raise.
