Nationwide — Idris Ekeize, a 6-year-old African American boy from Orange, New Jersey, is recovering after suffering second-degree burns from drinking scalding water at his elementary school. According to his mother, Matilda, the incident happened at Lincoln Avenue School when her son tried to get a drink from a water dispenser in the gym—only to be sprayed with hot water due to a plumbing mishap. The water fountain was reportedly connected to a hot water source instead of cold.
Ekeize told ABC 7 News that the school failed to provide immediate medical help. Instead of calling 911 or taking her son to the hospital, staff reportedly sent the injured child back to class. She was only informed later, and she ended up calling an ambulance herself. The family is outraged, especially since Ekeize says she had signed a release allowing the school to seek emergency care if her son got hurt on campus.
“They didn’t call EMS. They didn’t take him to the ER,” said Ekeize. “He had second-degree burns—this is clearly a medical emergency. How could they just put ointment on him and send him back to class?” She says that when she confronted the school principal, he claimed he didn’t know the proper procedure for handling burn injuries.
The school district released a brief statement acknowledging the incident and stating that an investigation is underway. They have not made any additional comments. Meanwhile, Ekeize has taken her son to the hospital, where medical staff confirmed the severity of his burns.
Idris, a kindergartner, is now at home recovering, both physically and emotionally. “I never, never, never again. It’s not fun,” the young boy told reporters, describing the pain and fear he experienced. His mother says he is traumatized and afraid to return to school.
The family has begun seeking legal counsel. Idris’s cousin, Evelyn Green, who is listed as an emergency contact, was contacted by the school after the incident. “My concern is the lack of action afterward,” she said. “This is something he’ll remember forever, and they weren’t there for him when it mattered most.”
