DCF investigating after 6-year-old set on fire

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A 6-year-old whose shirt was set on fire this weekend remains in the burn unit at UF Health Gainesville as state child welfare officials investigate how it happened and if there are other concerns involving the families involved.

The boy was initially listed in life-threatening condition Sunday but has improved and is expected to recover, officials said.

Officers from the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said the victim's shirt was set on fire Sunday evening when the boy, a 14-year-old boy and another younger boy were waiting outside a Westside Kmart. It is believed the 14-year-old was playing with a lighter that was found inside the truck.

Police on Sunday provided different ages on the children involved and said the victim and the 14-year-old were brothers, but the Department of Children and Families gave updated information Monday.

JSO officers said the three boys were left in a vehicle about 6 p.m. while the aunt of the victim was inside the store on Normandy Village Parkway making an exchange.

According to the report, one of the boys found a lighter in the truck and started playing with it. Another child told him to stop, but he wouldn't, the report said. The exact circumstances are unclear but the 6-year-old's shirt caught fire.

Customers said the 6-year-old ran into the Kmart with his chest on fire, crying and screaming for help. A witness described the boy as "terrified. He started crying, he couldn't stop. He was in pain."

Police said shoppers inside the store stepped in and put out the fire.

DCF spokesman John Harrell said the agency met to review information received from the police and decide how to proceed.

"The fact that this child went through so much pain, so much agony is deeply disturbing," Harrell said. "So we want to find more about what led up to this incident and also if there's any other concerns regarding neglect or abuse regarding these children."

The report said the boy's aunt heard the loud screaming and saw his body on fire. He was taken to UF Health Jacksonville then airlifted to the burn unit in Gainesville.

Harrell said there's no law in Florida for how old is old enough for a teenager or child to be left alone.

"Maturity is not something you can legislate," Harrell said. "What we would tell people is better to err on the side of caution here. You can't really put a price-tag on child safety."

The 14-year-old is with family while DCF continues to investigate. Harrell said the fact that the 6-year-old was hurt after the boys found a lighter in the car is a reminder to parents and caretakers to be careful what items are left around children, because it's possible the incident could have been prevented.

The Kmart was open for business Monday, but workers were replacing flooring damaged by the fire.