OKC Parents Seek Legal Advice After Daughter Burned At School

Havonnah Johnson, News 9

UPDATE:  Mid-Del Schools suspends all middle school science chemical and fire lab activities after an experiment explodes in a teen's face.

Last week a flame color test went wrong and burned 13-year-old Ashley Cherry's face, neck and hands.

Today the school district says an investigation determined it was an accident.
The school is evaluating safety measures involving science labs.

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A school science experiment exploded in her face, scarring this metro teen for life. Ashley Cherry's parents are looking for a lawyer.

On Friday we showed you exclusive video of Ashley's injuries. Now, the teen talks about what went wrong.

10/28/2011 Related Story: Burned Elementary Student's Parents Speak Out

Ashley's parents Buddy and Kim Cherry are concerned about mounting medical bills and how they are going to make ends meet. Meanwhile, their 13-year-old redhead is worried if her face will ever look like it did before a science experiment exploded in her face.

Ashley came home from the hospital Saturday, but her parents said it will be a long road to a full recovery.

"I don't have answers and I need help. I won't be able to return to work after this to make sure that she is ok. It's just been a really tough year," Kim Cherry said.

Tough, because Ashley's father Buddy spent three months in the hospital and nearly lost his life to pancreatitis, then Kim had a bout with bell's palsy. The family said Ashley's illness is the most devastating, because it could have been prevented

"It's beyond angry there is not a word to describe it," Kim said.

Buddy is back at work as a mechanic and while he worries about money. Ashley is reacting like a normal teen.

"Sad because I don't know what my scars are going to be like, or discoloration on my face or how my hair is going to turn out to be," Ashley said.

To hear his daughter feels like she is no longer beautiful brings Buddy to tears. But they do have a small comfort.

"To know that I am getting better every day," Ashley said.

School administrators maintain the teacher who conducted the experiment was very well trained. Meanwhile they told the Cherry's they may be reimbursed for their expenses, it costs them well over $50 a day to treat Ashley's burns with new dressings and medication.

Ashley's parents have set up a fund at Kirkpatrick bank.