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Damon Clay, 17, is in a medically-induced coma and in critical condition in Atlanta after being burned over 70 percent of his body with boiling rice thrown on him as he slept by two men who said he stole a PlayStation 3.

(screen shot/WSBTV)

What were they thinking? The question resonates over the sad story of a 17-year-old boy who is in a medically-induced coma and in critical condition in Atlanta after being burned over 70 percent of his body with boiling rice.

The Associated Press reports that two men allegedly attacked the teen with the pot of rice as he slept.

Officers have arrested 19-year-old Quintavious Barber and 18-year-old Malik Morton for aggravated assault and cruelty to a child, among other charges, AP writes, adding:

Relatives of the scalded victim say the two men accused him of stealing a PlayStation 3. Neighbors say the three teens were friends.

The story was first reported by WSB-TV in Atlanta.

The station identified the victim as Damon Clay, 17, who remains in intensive care.

"He's scarred for the rest of his life. His life will never be the same," the teen's aunt told the station.

See the station's video on the case here.