17 July 2023 , 08:04
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A 12-year-old has been charged with a horrific crime after an even younger girl was allegedly doused with ACID at a school playground - with the attacker's mum being accused of bringing the chemical for her daughter to throw.
Deaira Summers, 11, spent four days in hospital being treated for "second and third degree burns" covering her body following the attack at the Vernor Elementary School playground in Detroit.
The girl's horrified mum said she saw smoke coming off her daughter's body "from head to toe."
Two weeks after finishing elementary school Deaira was playing with her siblings and cousin on Sunday July 9, when an argument erupted between her cousin and another girl, Deaira's grandma said.
Gran Debra Golston claimed the 12-year-old suspect's mum returned to the park with the acid which was then thrown over Deaira.
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Deaira had finished elementary school two weeks before the alleged attack (WDIV WS)Ms Golston wrote in a GoFundMe that her granddaughter "is lucky to be alive but will need ongoing care to fully heal from all the wounds she incurred."
The worried gran also said her family might need to move out of the area following the attack, out of fear of the other family.
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy has charged the 12-year-old girl with intent to do great bodily harm and felonious assault.
She is expected to appear in court on July 18.
Deaira showing off her school diploma (Gofundme)The Mirror has contacted the Prosecutor's office to ask if the suspect's mum also is under investigation.
Deaira's mum told Fox: "Her mother met her in the park and gave her the chemical to throw on the kids and she told the kids that’s what they get for messing with her daughter."
The shocked gran said her granddaughter "was a bystander who was doused with acid at a school park where she was playing".
Describing the incident she said: "On July 9th, Deaira and her young siblings and cousins were at a park when an altercation between an older, unknown teenager and one of Deaira’s cousins occurred.
"The unknown teenager’s mother brought acid to the park for her child to retaliate. Deaira and her siblings had left the park, as they were not involved; however, Deaira dropped her purse in her haste to depart. She returned for her purse and was then doused with acid by the older teenager."
Vernor Elementary School playground where the attack happened (WDIV WS)A fundraiser has been set up by Ms Golston to help cover the costs of her granddaughter's medical expenses. They are also saving in case they have to move out of the area.
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Ms Golston wrote: "Deaira’s mother is having to take time off from work to care for Deaira and for her own mental well-being. All donations will go the Summers’ bank account and will be used to help cover Deaira’s medical costs as well as her ongoing physical and counselling needs."
She added: "The family may also need to relocate to another area".
Detroit Police are not investigating because it took place on a Detroit Public Schools Community District playground.
The school said in a statement: "The incident did not involve our employees nor was it connected to a District or school event. This is a community matter involving two families that do not both attend our school district or the school."