Boy Burned by Slide Covered in Drain Cleaner

MIDDLE RIVER, Md. - A two year old boy suffered second and third degree burns after using the slide at a local elementary school on Saturday. The playground had been doused with industrial strength drain cleaner that was stolen from the school during a break in.

The boy's grandmother reported that Peyton Duschl began screaming soon after sliding down the slide at the Victory Villa Elementary School. His parents rushed him to Franklin Square Hospital Center for treatment.

The drain cleaner required the evacuation of the emergency room when they arrived at the hospital. Peyton was later transferred to John Hopkins Hospital's pediatric burn unit.

The boy will undergo surgery on Sunday, but is expected to be hospitalized for several weeks while he recovers from the extensive burns resulting from the drain cleaner. No other injuries have been reported.

The drain cleaner was stolen from a supply closet at the local elementary school. The door was kicked in and six bottles of the cleaner had been opened. The drain cleaner was then spread over several of pieces of the playground equipment.

It is likely that the culprit suffered burns to his arms or hands while pouring the drain cleaner on the slide. If caught, the person could be charged with first degree burglary and assault as well as destruction of property.

Baltimore County Police encourage anyone with possible information to contact them. An investigative team found the vandalized supply room that contained the drain cleaner used in the crime.

A hazardous materials team used thousands of gallons of water to clean the entire playground according to Division Chief Michael Robinson of the Baltimore County Fire Department.

Had the incident happened during a school day more injuries could have occurred.

The industrial strength drain cleaner contains high amounts of sulfuric acid, the ingredient that was responsible for the boy's burns.