Mom faces charges after boy in danger of losing hand in Tulare County

VISALIA, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – A Visalia mom is now facing charges after her son got severely injured while using illegal fireworks, the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office said on Tuesday.

The sheriff’s office says the mom of a 12-year-old is now facing multiple charges, including child endangerment, after the boy suffered severe injuries on his hand after he lit up an illegal firework.

Deputies responded to the 30600 block of Markham Avenue in Tulare County after receiving reports of a child with injuries from a firework.

Upon arrival, they learned a 12-year-old boy had removed the top off the illegal firework, likely intending to light it and throw it; however, as soon as it was lit, the firework exploded in the boy’s hand.

Sheriff’s officials say this caused “catastrophic” injuries that resulted in the loss of most of his hand, and deputies say he could lose all of it. Now, his mom is facing charges because the sheriff’s office believes she knew what her child was doing and did not stop it.

Sheriff Boudreaux would like to remind everyone that “what may seem like harmless fun, can turn into a tragedy in seconds.”

Briana Byus contributed to this report.