A 14-year-old Chicago girl is recovering from what her mother describes as a terrifying chemical attack in their apartment complex, leaving the teen with third-degree burns. The mother told local reporters that other youths allegedly threw a corrosive liquid at her daughter, seriously injuring her. According to the family, Chicago police have opened an investigation, and the school district has not responded to their requests for comment.
In an interview with FOX 32 Chicago, the girl’s mother said her daughter suffered deep tissue damage and that first responders treated her at the scene for severe chemical burns before rushing her for additional medical care. The station reported that police are investigating but had not released any suspect information when the story aired on Tuesday. FOX 32 also noted that the school district had not issued a public statement by that time.
How Serious Are Chemical Burns?
According to the Cleveland Clinic, third-degree burns are medical emergencies that destroy multiple layers of skin and can extend into underlying tissue. These injuries often require surgery and specialized wound care. Clinicians caution that chemical burns affecting the face, hands, large areas of the body, or involving children should be sent quickly to specialized burn teams.
Specialized Care and Recovery
The American Burn Association and federal burn triage guidance recommend that chemical burns and full-thickness injuries be evaluated at an ABA-verified burn center. There, multidisciplinary teams can perform wound excision, skin grafting, infection control and rehabilitation. Recovery from these kinds of burns can be lengthy and may include reconstructive surgery and long-term therapy to manage scarring and loss of function.
A Pattern in Chicago?
Acid and caustic-liquid attacks are not new to the city. Archival reporting from ABC7 Chicago details an earlier case in which a woman suffered third-degree burns after a caustic liquid was thrown at her, with suspects later identified. Incidents like that have pushed advocates to call for faster investigations and stronger prevention efforts around schools and apartment complexes.
Investigation and Legal Consequences
Authorities are now investigating this latest incident. Under Illinois law, causing severe and permanent harm with a caustic substance can bring enhanced charges, and the state criminal code includes aggravated and “heinous” battery provisions for attacks involving caustic or flammable substances, according to the Illinois General Assembly. The girl’s mother told FOX 32 Chicago that the family is keeping the focus on her recovery while investigators work to determine what happened…