There's a popular trend growing among teens that could be deadly. It's called "human branding" and it's when you burn your skin with a metal object.
A local dad says his son did it and he talked exclusively with CBS 21 to raise awareness.
Over the summer, Mike Stine's son branded himself with help from an 18-year-old friend. "His mother actually saw it one day when he was changing into his lacrosse uniform and questioned him about it right away." Stine said.
Mike called police to find out if he could press charges against the 18-year-old. "I was very angry. I mean that's my son. He's only 14 and the fact that something like this could be done to him without my knowledge or input. That was tough."
But police told him human branding isn't illegal.
"Half hour later he called me back and said, nope, the DA's office says this won't fly as a crime." Stine explained. "I was like wow, i can't believe this."
So he contacted state representative Keith Gillespie. The lawmaker has since introduced legislation that would make it against the law for minors to get branded without parent approval. It would be included with laws already on the books for tattooing and body piercing.
"I think it's very dangerous practice and if nothing else, i hope you doing this story will bring it to everyone's mind that this is going on out there." said Gillespie.
Stine says, "I mean he took a nail and literally burned it into his skin and he had to do it twice."
It could cause infection, cardiac arrest or death.
That's exactly why this dad wants other parents to know, human branding among teens is happening, especially among young athletes.
This legislation has not passed yet, it's been introduced and will be assigned to a committee.
But if it becomes law, it would carry jail time and some fines.
A local dad says his son did it and he talked exclusively with CBS 21 to raise awareness.
Over the summer, Mike Stine's son branded himself with help from an 18-year-old friend. "His mother actually saw it one day when he was changing into his lacrosse uniform and questioned him about it right away." Stine said.
Mike called police to find out if he could press charges against the 18-year-old. "I was very angry. I mean that's my son. He's only 14 and the fact that something like this could be done to him without my knowledge or input. That was tough."
But police told him human branding isn't illegal.
"Half hour later he called me back and said, nope, the DA's office says this won't fly as a crime." Stine explained. "I was like wow, i can't believe this."
So he contacted state representative Keith Gillespie. The lawmaker has since introduced legislation that would make it against the law for minors to get branded without parent approval. It would be included with laws already on the books for tattooing and body piercing.
"I think it's very dangerous practice and if nothing else, i hope you doing this story will bring it to everyone's mind that this is going on out there." said Gillespie.
Stine says, "I mean he took a nail and literally burned it into his skin and he had to do it twice."
It could cause infection, cardiac arrest or death.
That's exactly why this dad wants other parents to know, human branding among teens is happening, especially among young athletes.
This legislation has not passed yet, it's been introduced and will be assigned to a committee.
But if it becomes law, it would carry jail time and some fines.