A South Carolina man, Gregory Bernard Campbell, is accused of dousing his 24-year-old niece in boiling water in what has been described as an “out of the blue” attack. Campbell and the victim, unnamed, had had “a few disagreements” in the past, authorities said.
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According to a news release issued by the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO), the incident occurred on Friday, September 5. ACSO deputies responded to a Mist Circle residence in Belton, South Carolina, after receiving a domestic disturbance report.
Upon arriving, deputies learned that Campbell had allegedly “poured boiling water” on the victim, a 24-year-old woman who was later identified as his niece. While the man was arrested, his niece was transported to the Joseph M. Still Burn Center at Doctors Hospital in Augusta, Georgia.
‘Out Of The Blue’
The ACSO shared additional details with The Charlotte Observer. Authorities detailed that both family members had experienced “a few disagreements” in the past, leading up to the alleged attack.
However, on September 5, Campbell allegedly poured the boiling water on his niece “out of the blue.”
“He was simply standing over the stove one minute and as she walked by, proceeded to throw the water on her,” the sheriff’s office said.
As a result, Gregory Bernard Campbell was charged with one count of assault and battery. He has since been released after posting bond. The woman’s condition, meanwhile, is unknown. She was described as a “great niece.”
According to the American Burn Association (ABA), water boils at 212 degrees Fahrenheit. While boiling water is extremely dangerous, hot water at lower temperatures can also cause severe injuries.
“In fact, it only takes 3 seconds of exposure to 140°F/60°C water to cause a burn serious enough to require surgery,” the ABA said.
Approximately 486,000 people sustain serious burn injuries each year in the United States. This translates to a burn injury every 65 seconds.
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, you can reach the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233. You can also chat with a representative at thehotline.org​ or by texting “START” to 88788.