9-Year-Old Louisiana Boy Severely Burned After Necklace Got Tangled in Tablet Charger While Sleeping

JENA, La. — A 9-year-old boy from Louisiana is recovering from severe burns after what his mother calls a “freak accident” — when his metal necklace got tangled in his tablet charger and sparked a fire as he slept.

The frightening incident occurred around 5 a.m. on October 12 in the family’s Jena home, where Ashtyn Pitts had fallen asleep with his tablet plugged in near his pillow.

‘It Was Like This Loud Bang’

Speaking to NBC affiliate WDSU, Ashtyn’s mother, Lauren Morrow, said the accident happened suddenly while the boy slept.

“The only way I know how to explain it is that it was a freak accident,” she said.

Ashtyn recalled waking to chaos.

“It was like this loud bang, and then I woke up, and then I started shaking, and I was screaming ‘Help!’” he told reporters.

Startled and in pain, Ashtyn ran to his parents’ room with his brother, terrified something — or someone — was in the house.

Necklace Heated Up and Caught Fire

According to Morrow, her son’s metal necklace became entangled with the charging cable, which then sparked and ignited, heating the metal around his neck and leaving him with serious burns.

Photos shared by the family show the boy with visible injuries on his face and neck.

“He was electrocuted,” Morrow said. “His necklace heated up tremendously, which caused severe burns.”

Ashtyn was rushed to a hospital in Shreveport, Louisiana, where he was treated in both the burn unit and the pediatric intensive care unit.

‘We Could Be Planning a Funeral Right Now’

Morrow told People that the ordeal was nearly fatal.

“It hit me hard, because in all reality, we could be planning a funeral right now,” she said. “To say I was terrified is an understatement. Nothing but God saved us.”

She added that she continues to have nightmares about the event but is grateful her son survived.

Recovery and Awareness

Ashtyn has since returned to school, eager to be back with friends and teachers, though his mother says the emotional recovery is ongoing.

“He’s still grappling with panic and trauma from the incident,” Morrow said. “But he is healing — and we are working on healing his mental state.”

The family is now urging other parents to avoid charging electronics near beds or pillows, especially when children are asleep.

The National Fire Protection Association warns that charging devices on bedding can trap heat, increasing the risk of fire.

A Message to Parents

The family hopes their story serves as a wake-up call for others.

“We just want to share his story for awareness in hopes that it will potentially save lives,” Morrow said. “Please let this be a lesson to everyone.”

Ashtyn’s recovery continues at home as his family reminds others that what happened was a one-in-a-million accident — but one that could have ended far worse.

For more community safety stories and awareness updates, visit NapervilleLocal.com.