2-Year-Old Critical With Second-Degree Burns After Falling Into Pot Of Boiling Water

A 2-year-old boy in Ukraine was in critical condition after falling into a pot of boiling water, according to local reports Monday. Ivan Maletych remains in intensive care as he is fighting for life after suffering 70 percent burns, classified as second-degree burn.

The incident reportedly took place on April 23 at the child's home in southern Ukraine.

“I heated the water to wash clothes,” his mother, Ivanna Maletych, said, according to local media outlet LMN. “We do not have a washing machine, so I do everything with my hands.” The mother said she left the pan to cool, and then became distracted by something.

Maletych said she was busy with some work when she heard her son’s screams and realized that he had fallen into the pot of boiling water.

The mother of four reportedly rushed to the neighbors who drove them to the hospital.

Victor Pyzhevsky, head of the department of the 8th Lviv Clinical Hospital, told local media that the boy had suffered 70 percent burns and was in critical condition when he was brought in. He was also put on a ventilator. However, doctors said despite the treatment it remained unclear if the child will survive.

“The hardest days are still ahead,” Vasyl Savchin, the head of the burn center, told another local media. “Between the 5th and 8th day after burns, the body begins to shed the burnt skin and then lots of toxins are released into the bloodstream.” Savchin added that a more accurate condition of the boy could be given after two weeks of observation.

A neighbor told LMN that the family was using a stove and firewood for heating after the gas was shut off several months ago as they couldn’t pay the bills for their home in the village of Starosambirsky, in Ukraine’s Lviv Oblast region.

“Ivanka also has three older children,” the neighbor said. “She cares for them, the children are calm, they go to school, they never say anything bad about them in the village.”

As the family was facing financial trouble, they appealed for donations for the treatment of the child.

“I am constantly in the hospital with my son," Maletych told the Daily Mail. “Doctors say nothing on his chances of survival... My heart is broken and I cannot forgive myself for what happened.”

A police report was filed and the incident was being treated as an accident.