The mother was tending one child when the 9-year-old went to get something in the kitchen. Instead of asking for help, he opened up the oven door to use it as a step. When he stepped on the door with his back to the stove to reach a shelf, the stove tipped, causing the boiling water to fall on him.

The small pan of water was being heated for a baby bottle.

The 9-year-old is still in the hospital and they are working on skin grafts.

JOHNSTON, S.C. -- A 9-year-old boy is in the hospital with at least second-degree burns to his back after being burned by boiling water.

Johnston Police say the boy's mother had four pots of boiling water on the stove.

That's when officers say the boy opened the oven door on Saturday afternoon and stood on it, causing water to spill and burn him.

The boy was airlifted to the Joseph M. Still Burn Center at Doctors Hospital in Augusta.

Johnston Police say they will be investigating and charges are pending.

They also say it is probable that the Department of Social Services will get involved.

Stay with News 12 as we continue to follow this story.