A terrifying accident involving a common household item nearly cost an eight-year-old boy his life. The item was something most people use every single day — a cellphone charger.
On November 20, eight-year-old Lorenzo Lopez was lying in his bed with his phone nearby. The phone was charging and connected to an extension cord beside him. Like many children and teenagers, Lorenzo had fallen asleep with the device close to him.
What happened next quickly turned into a frightening and dangerous situation.
At the time, Lorenzo was wearing a necklace. While he was asleep, he rolled over in his bed. According to his mother, the necklace slipped into the small gap between the charger and the extension cord.
The metal chain suddenly conducted electricity.
Within seconds, Lorenzo was being electrocuted by the charger.
The shock was so strong that he tried to scream for help but could not. His body was locked by the electrical current, making it nearly impossible for him to move or call out.
It was a terrifying moment that could have easily ended in tragedy.
Despite the pain and fear, Lorenzo remained conscious long enough to understand what was happening. Using all the strength he had, he managed to pull the necklace off his neck.
That single action saved his life.
Doctors later explained that if Lorenzo had not removed the chain when he did, the electrical current could have continued and potentially killed him.
His mother, Courtney Pendleton, said medical staff were clear about how serious the situation was.
“The lady had told him had he not pulled that chain off, he would have been electrocuted to death,” she said. “So he basically saved his own life.”
Lorenzo himself spoke about the terrifying experience with a mix of relief and disbelief.
“I guess I saved myself, and I’m happy about that,” he said.
But the moment was incredibly frightening for the young boy.
“It was just scary. I almost thought I was going to die,” Lorenzo recalled.
Although he survived, the accident caused severe injuries. Lorenzo suffered burns and damage to his skin that required extensive medical treatment.
Doctors had to perform a skin graft surgery to repair the injured areas. During the procedure, skin was taken from several parts of his body — including his scalp, legs, and feet — and transplanted to help heal the damaged tissue.
Lorenzo is expected to remain in the hospital for some time as he continues recovering from the ordeal.
The medical procedures and hospital stay have created significant expenses for the family. To help cover the costs, Lorenzo’s family has created a GoFundMe page asking for support from the community.
In an update shared online, his mother explained that the recovery process has been emotionally difficult for her son.
“Today was a rough day for Lorenzo,” she wrote. “He has been sore all day and kind of in a sad mood. I think he is getting homesick.”
Now, Lorenzo’s mother is using their painful experience to warn other families about the dangers of sleeping with electronic devices or charging cords in bed.
She hopes that by sharing Lorenzo’s story, other parents will take precautions to prevent similar accidents.
“Parents — please, please don’t let your kids sleep with electronics or charging cords on their bed,” she said. “It’s not worth the risk.”
Lorenzo’s story serves as a powerful reminder that even everyday objects can become dangerous in certain situations — and that awareness can help prevent tragedies.
