Eight-year-old Lorenzo Lopez awoke to a nightmare – a searing pain and the terrifying sensation of his t-shirt burning against his skin. He was trapped, unable to scream, as electricity coursed through his body.
The source of the horror? His own chain necklace, caught between his phone charger and an extension cord while he slept. In a moment of instinctive bravery, Lorenzo ripped the chain from his neck, a desperate act that likely saved his life.
“I thought I was going to die,” he recounted from his hospital bed, the memory of November 20th still vividly frightening. The incident, he simply described as “just scary,” unfolded in a chaotic blur.
His mother, Kourtney Pendleton, explained the terrifying sequence of events. Lorenzo had rolled over, and the chain fell into the dangerous gap between the charger and the extension cord, completing a deadly circuit.
The result was excruciating burns across his body, neck, and hands. Doctors are preparing for skin graft surgery, a procedure that will take healthy skin from his scalp, legs, and feet to repair the damage.
Kourtney described her son as a “true survivor,” emphasizing that his quick thinking prevented a fatal outcome. “Had he not pulled that chain off, he would have been electrocuted to death,” she stated, her voice filled with relief and lingering fear.
Lorenzo, with remarkable resilience, added, “I guess I saved myself and I’m happy about that.” Despite the pain and trauma, a sense of gratitude shines through.
Images shared by Kourtney revealed the severity of Lorenzo’s injuries – deep, singed marks across his torso, a stark reminder of the ordeal. She described his suffering as unimaginable, a pain she wouldn’t wish on anyone.
Skin graft surgery involves carefully transplanting healthy skin to cover damaged areas. The donor site, where the skin is taken from, is just as important to heal. This procedure is often necessary after severe burns or trauma, offering a chance to rebuild and recover.
Kourtney’s experience serves as a stark warning to all parents. This was a freak accident, she stressed, but one that could happen to anyone. The simple act of allowing electronics and charging cords near a child’s bed carries a hidden, potentially deadly risk.
Following a successful skin graft surgery, Lorenzo continues to battle through intense pain, but his spirit remains unbroken. He faces a long recovery, but his courage inspires everyone around him.
“This has been such a heavy and emotional journey,” Kourtney wrote, “but he’s holding on with a strength that inspires all of us.” Lorenzo’s story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and a powerful reminder of the importance of safety.
