Texas Teen with Autism Faces Permanent Blindness After Alleged Attack with Drain Cleaner

Brody Morgan (pictured), who has autism, was walking through his neighborhood in Friendswood when Branden Jolly threw what turned out to be a drain de-clogger

An 18-year-old from Texas, Branden Jolly, is facing serious charges after allegedly throwing powdered drain cleaner into the eyes of Brody Morgan, an 18-year-old with autism, potentially causing permanent blindness.

The incident occurred while Morgan was walking through his neighborhood in Friendswood. According to police, Jolly threw what turned out to be a drain de-clogger at Morgan. Morgan's mother, Amy, recounted that her son returned home screaming, initially thinking it was just salt in his eyes. However, when she tried to rinse his eyes with water, the situation worsened, with his eyes appearing bruised and blackened.

Branden Jolly, 17, had his first date with a judge on Friday, where he had bond set at $300,000

Morgan claimed that one of the teenagers involved had stolen a package from a nearby house. Jolly reportedly opened the stolen box, which contained an unfamiliar powder. Court documents indicate that Jolly initially spilled the chemicals on Morgan's shirt. When Morgan tried to push Jolly away, Jolly allegedly threw the powder into Morgan's face.

Doctors later confirmed that the substance was powdered drain cleaner. "We went into the emergency room, and they immediately realized it was not salt," said Amy Morgan. "They kept trying to get from me what it was, and I had no idea."

Doctors were eventually able to determine that Jolly had thrown powdered drain cleaner at Morgan

Jolly has been charged with causing injury to a disabled person, due to Morgan's autism. Despite this, Jolly's family maintains that the incident was accidental. Jolly's mother claimed that Morgan attacked her son first, causing the substance to spill. The family expressed sympathy for Morgan but insisted that Branden did not act with malicious intent.

A third teen involved in the incident, who has not been identified, told police that Jolly threw the substance intentionally. Amy Morgan stated that the other boys knew her son had autism and should have acted more responsibly.

Jolly has been charged with causing injury to a disabled person. However, he escaped house arrest after prosecutors demanded it be added to his bond

"I do feel like he should have some punishment. I don't know what that looks like because I don't want him to go to jail for the rest of his life," Morgan said. Court documents revealed that the packaging of the drain cleaner was clearly labeled.

Brody Morgan has been transferred to a burn unit, and his parents fear he may lose his vision permanently.