8-Year-Old Dies After Dare to Drink Boiling Water Through Straw

An 8-year-old girl in Florida has died following an injury stemmed from drinking boiling water through a straw on a dare five months ago.

The Sun Sentinel reports Ki’ari Pope had trouble breathing Sunday night and was taken to the hospital, where responders tried to resuscitate her for 40 minutes before she was pronounced dead.

The girl’s 22-year-old mother, Marquisia Bonner, says Ki’ari suffered complications following the dare she took from her cousin in March after they watched a video on YouTube of someone drinking boiling water from a straw.

Ki’ari had emergency surgery on her windpipe to clear scar tissue, but her mother said the tracheotomy left her with trouble breathing and talking. The young child who played basketball for University Preparatory Academy, was due to see her doctor for another checkup this Friday.

The publication reports that the state’s child-welfare agency is investigating the girl’s death as the incident is the latest in a series of cases since 2009, five of them connecting to reports of domestic violence between the mother and her partner.

Boynton Beach police spokesperson, Stephanie Slater said the medical examiner will determine the cause of death.

A vigil for Ki’ari took place Friday night.

Photo credit: Twitter / @KTLA