An appeal for prayers on behalf of a 22-month-old boy in critical condition after accidentally shooting himself in the chest with a nail gun first hit spread on August 2010, spread in large part by Facebook and Twitter. The appeal took on new life in August 2011 when it once again spread through Facebook postings and showed up yet again in August 2016.
This prayer request has been circulating social media since 2010, so we’re classifying it as “outdated.” One of the earliest versions of the story appeared in a DIY chat room in August 2010. In that version, the poster said “a local 22-month-old boy” had picked up his dad’s electric brad gun and shot himself in the chest, just below the sternum. The post wasn’t a prayer request, but rather a reminder to unplug power tools when not in use:
If you own an electric powered brad nailer, as I do, PLEASE remember to unplug it when you are not using it–even for a minute. A local 22 month old boy picked up his Dad’s, which was plugged in and turned ON and shot himself in the chest. The brad nail went just to the left of the Sternum, below the skin line and is into his heart. He is in critical condition at this time and the local Dr.’s here, which do heart surgery, are considering flying him to another hospital for surgery. Just one second in this child’s life is all that it took. Thanks for reading, David
Two months later, in October 2010, the story made its way to Facebook in the form of a payer request. In that version, the boy’s mother had a name, Kayla Scott.
Skeptics noted that the story had been in circulation for months, and nobody had actually heard from Scott or her injured son’s family.
It should also be noted that different names have been associated with the story of the years, too. The boy’s mother has had numerous names — including Dedee Parsons, Teresa Lynch and Cheryl Dewitts — none of which have been confirmed.
In the end, we can’t definitively prove that the story of the 22-month-old boy who shot himself in the chest with a brad nailer is false. But the prayer request is definitely outdated.
I wonder what makes people post stories like this that are so untrue! Are they attempting to hack into your social media accounts???? Glad I checked it out before copying and pasting.
Dear Sylvia, Please share this post and make people aware of this hoax.
Maybe it is true an old. If the baby made it its going to have spme iussse with his heart. My daughter has heart problems an she is 5 and I have a son that is ADD and ADHD so yes still pray for them . only God knows the truth dont judge nobody cause we are not God.
This is the version I just saw (July 2020)
“PRAYERS NEEDED :Urgent prayer request! Kayla Scott’s 22 month old son accidentally shot himself in the chest with a brad nailer (construction nail gun). It went off in his heart ~ He is now in critical condition and not doing well neither is his mom ~ Please start a prayer chain for this baby Please copy & re-post. As you would want someone to do it for you, thanx guys I wanna see this as your status for at least half hr please!!!! COME ON PRAYER WARRIORS IN THE NAME JESUS. Sent ftom Peggy Scudder via Becky Curlin.”
Well I always feel like prayers can’t
Hurt anyone and God knows the truth. If it is a hoax shame shame
Nice sentiment Breta. At least the request is for prayers, and not money sent for surgery. God help us all.