Crime & Safety
Boy Fabricated Story About Being Attacked & Set On Fire, Burned Self Accidentally: Mokena PD
The boy's parent had shared the account on the Neighbors app, which was also shared on other social media.
MOKENA, IL — Parents in Mokena and surrounding areas were alarmed Thursday night when a woman shared on social media that her son had been attacked and set on fire.
The post shared first via the Neighbors app was later debunked by police.
Mokena police said that on Thursday night around 7:30 p.m., they were called to Silver Cross Hospital for a report of a male juvenile with burns on his legs. The juvenile had reported that he was attacked by being set on fire.
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With further investigation, the incident was determined to be unfounded.
Police say they believe what really happened consisted of juveniles starting a small fire in the wooded area in the 16000 block of 191st Street, before one of the youths accidentally burned himself, police said. There is no safety concern to the public.
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"Parents, please teach your children fire is not a toy; it is a dangerous tool that can cause serious injury or death and should only be used by adults," police advised.
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