A North Carolina woman has been arrested for allegedly helping her teenage son record a dangerous stunt where he doused himself with nail polish and set himself on fire, The Charlotte Observer reported Tuesday.
Police accused Janie Lachelle Talley, of Charlotte, of being "present and aware of what her son (was) doing" when he tried to reenact the "fire challenge," when people pour alcohol and other flammable liquids their bodies before setting themselves on fire.
The stunt is recorded and uploaded on social media sites like Facebook and YouTube. Some reports say the challenge is supposed to be a way to burn hair off the body.
On July 29, Talley's 16-year-old son tried his own fire challenge, while Talley "facilitated the recording," Charlotte-Mecklenburg police said according to the newspaper. The 41-year-old mother was arrested Aug. 6 and charged with contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile.
Talley's son suffered minor burns to his chest and neck from the flames, which were put out by others present during the incident, the newspaper reported.
Other teens have suffered severe burns while attempting the fire challenge. One 15-year-old Kentucky boy was treated for second-degree burns after pouring rubbing alcohol on his chest and setting himself aflame in late June. He later told police he was not thinking at the time.
Facebook has since removed fire challenge videos in an attempt stop the disturbing fad from spreading, police said.
"The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department discourages this activity due to the extreme danger it poses to everyone involved and takes all complaints seriously," police said according to The Charlotte Observer.
It is not clear if Talley was issued bail. Her trial is scheduled for Oct. 2.
