Kids burned by chemical concoction

BROOKLYN The victims were playing with their friends when the seemingly unprovoked attack took place.

The group of kids were playing in a courtyard Sunday night when their parents say someone tossed the chemical concoction.

Two kids suffered first- and second-degree burns. And parents feel it could have been a lot worse.

"The kids are traumatized," a victim's mother, Hindi Frankle, said.

Pincos and Hindi Frankle spent a long night at Bellevue Hospital, then a good part of Monday at a specialist because of the burns around their son Yakov's eye.

The 10-year-old's emotional scars are even more painful than his physical burns.

Eyewitness News reporter Carolina Leid: "Does it feel as bad as it looks?"
Yakov: "Yes."
Hindi: "It burns."

Around 8 p.m. Sunday, Yakov was playing with a group of three or four kids outside their homes on South Eighth Street near Driggs Avenue in Williamsburg.

They say a group of 14 to 16 kids walked passed, and one launched a bottle at them.

"They were playing," Hindi said. "A bottle spun and exploded in front of them. Everyone ran."

Yakov and a 12-year-old girl were both rushed to the hospital for facial burns.

Parents say inside the bottle was a combination of common household items that make a so-called "Drano bomb."

Police sources confirm finding a chemical agent inside the bottle, but do not believe the incident was a hate crime.

Yakov's father say regardless, whoever did this needs to get caught before someone else is hurt seriously.

"We are very surprised," Pincos said. "No one should throw a chemical device at children who are playing."

The families are asking for more police presence in the area.

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WEB PRODUCED BY: Bill King


NEW YORK AND TRI-STATE AREA NEWS

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