2 kids facing charges after 'skull-breaker challenge' leaves teen with concussion

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Wednesday, March 4, 2020
TikTok 'skull-breaker challenge' leaves Cherry Hill teen with concussion
TikTok 'skull-breaker challenge' leaves Cherry Hill teen with concussionThe prank videos are popping up on the social app TikTok and only last a few seconds, but the damage can be more long term.

CHERRY HILL, New Jersey -- Two juveniles are facing charges after the viral "skull-breaker" challenge left a middle school student with a concussion.

The skull-breaker challenge involves two people fooling a third person into jumping into the air and then kicking their feet out from under them.

READ MORE: Dangerous TikTok 'skull-breaker challenge' causes child head injuries

skull breaker challenge

Stacy and Marc Shenker's 13-year-old son fell victim to the challenge and had to be rushed to the hospital.

The Camden County Prosecutor's Office confirmed on Monday that two minors have been charged with third-degree aggravated assault and third-degree endangering an injured victim.

Dr. Grier Arthur is a trauma surgeon at a Philadelphia children's hospital and said the injuries sustained in a fall like this could be life-changing.

"If you hit head first, you can have a skull fracture or a hematoma on the outside of the skull or even bleeding within the brain," said Arthur.

It's been one month since the Shenker's son was concussed and symptoms, including lethargy and headaches, still haven't completely disappeared.

"It's hard. My son, in a way, feels like he's being punished because he's restricted," said Stacy Shenker.

The Shenkers are warning other kids to think twice.

"When the next craze of the next challenge comes out, think about it.. is that really how it's going to turn out?" she said.

"Just because you see that something looks funny doesn't mean when you try to do it, that it's going to be," said Marc Shenker.

The Shenkers said their son is on academic restriction. He will start physical therapy this week and he is hopeful he'll be able to return to playing baseball this fall.

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