Georgia mom charged after 11-year-old son sets himself on fire, police say

A Georgia mother is behind bars after authorities said her 11-year-old son set fire to himself Wednesday.

According to WJBF and WRDW, Mattelyn Parks, 29, of Augusta, is facing a first-degree child cruelty charge in the incident, which occurred after she went to work and left the boy alone with his toddler sister, police said.

Emergency crews rushed the boy, who suffered first- and second-degree burns on his chest and face, to a nearby hospital, WJBF reported. The wounds are non-life-threatening, authorities said.