POLK COUNTY, Fla. — Shrapnel from a grenade explosion sent a 9-year-old boy to the hospital in critical condition in Lakeland Thursday night.
The boy was holding onto the grenade inside his home, when it blew up in his hands.
"I'm not going to describe in detail. It's traumatic. The trauma is severe and the child is in exceptionally critical condition," said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.
The child's mother was the only other person home. She immediately called for help.
Investigators say the device was a World War II Pineapple grenade.
The family thought the grenade was a dud. The family had been using it as a paperweight.
Sheriff Judd said criminal charges will most likely be filed in the case.
WFTV