Georgia’s Trey West spent New Year’s Day in hospital, recovering from the severe burns left on most of his face after three of his friends allegedly found amusement in pouring boiling water over his face while he slept.

According to WALB 10, the 12-year-old was at his neighbor’s Tifton apartment, enjoying a sleepover with three other boys – ranging in age from 12 to 15.

When the incident happened, Trey was sleeping while the other pre-teens were playing video games. Then one of the kids dumped hot water on Trey, said his mother, Tiffany West.

“I mean, I really can’t describe it now. In that moment I was just mad, hurt, in shock,” West said of the alleged prank, that caused second degree burns, primarily on the boy’s face, requiring immediate medical attention.

“I was seeing red. I was just trying to hurry up and get him some help.”