12-Year-Old Arrested After Pouring Boiling Water on Girl

Police arrested a 12-year-old girl after she poured boiling water on an 11-year-old girl while at a sleepover in the Bronx, New York.

Jamoneisha Merritt, 11, was attending a sleepover at her friend's house on Monday when one of her classmates got boiling water and poured it into a cup.

NBC News affiliate, NBC4 reports Jamoneisha's cousin, Yolanda Richardson, said Jamoneisha and the 12-year-old had been arguing prior to the incident.

"[They] got into an argument and [the 12-year-old] told her if [Jamoneisha] goes to sleep, they were going to do something to her," Yolanda said.

While Jamoneisha slept, the 12-year-old who has not been identified, poured the cup of scalding water on her, leaving the 11-year-old with severe second-degree burns.

Jolted awake by the scorching water, Jamoneisha's upper body, including face, neck, back, shoulders and chest were affected. The young girl was heard screaming that it was "burning."

Rushed by first responders to Harlem Hospital in serious but stable condition, Jamoneisha's family says she is in a lot of pain as she is missing skin from her face, shoulders and neck. The young girl is also left emotionally scarred by the incident.

Richardson says she was with her for a little bit, but couldn't hold herself together, saying, "I don't want her to see me cry."

The mother of Jamoneisha told the Washington Post that she did't understand why the other children could do such a thing to her child.

"[Jamoneisha] thought they was her friends," Merritt said. "I was told that they didn't like her. And they just been bullying her."

While it is unclear how long Jamoneisha will be in the hospital, police report that the 12-year-old has been arrested and charged with assault. None of the other children are currently facing charges.

Photo credit: Twitter / @BCNN1