An Australian boy with autism who lost almost all of his fingers when a homemade bomb went off in his hands last week may have been the victim of a cruel prank gone horribly wrong.
Michael Boggan of Ipswich, Queensland, underwent nine hours of surgery Friday after a golf ball loaded with explosives and ball bearings blew off all but his pinky finger on his left hand and his thumb and pinky finger on his right, according to the Australian Associated Press.
The teen's mother wants the boys who allegedly tossed the bomb into her son's hands to face attempted murder charges, Australia's Channel 10 news reports.
The blast was powerful enough to blow apart an outdoor furniture set nearby, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
Three other teens hurt in the explosion were taken to the hospital with minor injuries. Ipswich mayor Paul Pisasale told the news organization that at least one suspect is known to police, and stern punishments will be handed down if it is found that Michael was intentionally targeted.
Michael's family told the press that the 15-year-old boy, who has autism, had been the victim of bullies in his neighborhood before.
According to Michael's mother, Rebecca Boggan, the boy who allegedly threw the bomb had been on-again, off-again friends with her son.
“He [Michael] is done with the friendship now, he’s had enough,” Boggan told The Courier-Mail. "I'd love to know what the other boy has to say for himself."
The Queensland Times reports that more than $30,000 in donations has come in for Michael. The money in the fund will be used to pay for his rehabilitation.
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