On Thursday, Virginia authorities criminally charged a teen girl for allegedly lighting a 13-year-old classmate’s hair on fire on Wednesday.

The Henrico Fire Marshal’s Office has charged the unidentified student as a juvenile with unlawful wounding for an incident that occurred at John Rolfe Middle School. The injured eighth grader’s mother told WWBT that her son’s math class had lunch in their classroom due to COVID concerns when the girl approached her son from behind as he threw away his tray.

According to the mother, the girl had a lighter in her hand — which she flicked, causing her son’s hair to ignite. The fire reportedly charred off most of the victim’s hair and left him with severe burns on his head, ear, and neck.

“He was hysterical; he looked scared,” the boy’s mother told WWBT. “His pride emotionally and mentally is broken.”

The mother also alleged that school officials did not want to press charges against the girl, who has not been publicly identified. The victim has wished to remain anonymous.

According to reports, the boy remains hospitalized for second- and third-degree burns. His mother told WTVR that she does not know what led to the attack that left her son with severe burns.

WWBT reported that the case will be heard in juvenile and domestic court.

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[Featured image: WWBT video screengrab]