MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A quiet visit to a neighbor’s apartment allegedly turned into a terrifying ordeal for a 14-year-old boy who police say was attacked while sleeping on a couch.

The teenager was inside an apartment on Foote Lane in Memphis on Sept. 2 when he reportedly fell asleep after telling his grandmother he was “hanging out” at the residence next door.

According to an affidavit of complaint, the boy was asleep when a man he identified as “Zach” allegedly approached him and threw boiling hot water onto his face.

The teenager immediately fled from the apartment and ran to his grandmother’s home nearby.

His grandmother then contacted authorities, reporting that her grandson had told her he had been attacked by a man at the neighboring apartment.

Teen Suffers Third-Degree Burns

Memphis police officers responded to the grandmother’s apartment after the emergency call.

The teenager reportedly provided officers with a description of the person he said was responsible for the attack. He later identified Tyjuan Hassell, 22, as the alleged attacker, according to the court document.

The affidavit does not identify a possible motive for the incident. The severity of the teenager’s injuries quickly became apparent.

Firefighters with the Memphis Fire Department arrived and treated the boy for third-degree burns. He was then transported to a nearby children’s hospital.

According to the affidavit, the teenager was listed in critical condition at the hospital. His current condition has not been publicly confirmed.

Police Arrest 22-Year-Old Suspect

Hassell was arrested following the investigation and booked into the Shelby County Jail. He has been charged with aggravated assault, according to Shelby County court records.

Hassell is currently being held on $100,000 bond. The charge stems from the allegation that he intentionally threw extremely hot water onto the teenager while the boy was sleeping.

Authorities have not publicly announced what may have led to the alleged attack or whether Hassell and the teenager knew each other before the incident.

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The investigation remains focused on determining what happened inside the apartment before and during the alleged assault.

Grandmother Called Police After Teen Ran for Help

The teenager’s decision to immediately run to his grandmother’s apartment helped bring emergency responders to the scene.

According to the affidavit, the grandmother told responding officers that her grandson said he had been attacked by a man next door. The boy’s account then gave investigators information they could use to identify the person he believed was responsible.

His grandmother’s proximity to the apartment also meant the teenager was able to reach help quickly after the alleged attack.

While the circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation, the case has left questions about why the teenager was targeted while he was asleep.

Suspect Facing Court Proceedings

Hassell is scheduled to be arraigned Friday and is expected to appear in court again Monday.

At this stage, the allegations against him remain accusations, and the aggravated assault charge will proceed through the court system.

Authorities have not released additional details about the circumstances inside the apartment or provided a possible explanation for the alleged attack. The teenager’s medical condition is also unclear following his hospitalization.

For the family, however, the incident has already turned what was supposed to be an ordinary visit into a frightening medical emergency. A 14-year-old boy went to a nearby apartment to spend time with others, fell asleep on a couch and allegedly woke up to a serious attack that left him with third-degree burns.

As investigators continue gathering evidence, the case is now moving toward its next stage in court.

What do you think about this disturbing alleged attack on a sleeping teenager? Share your thoughts in the comments below.