Woman Permanently Disfigured After Being Set Ablaze In Park Fight

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania -- Police have launched an investigation after a homeless woman was set on fire during an alleged argument, which resulted in the victim suffering severe burns.

Fire crews discovered Alyssa Morales in Harrowgate Park in Philadelphia’s Kensington neighborhood at around 11:30 p.m. on June 16, the New York Post reported.

The 36-year-old had second- and third-degree burns on over 60% of her body, according to the outlet.

Morales was in too much pain to identify herself upon being taken to the hospital and had to be listed as a Jane Doe for two days before her family was alerted.

She is currently in critical condition and in a medically induced coma at Temple University Hospital, a report by 6ABC said.

Morales may need to stay in the hospital for at least three months, according to her mother, Leah Ann Morales. She will also need to undergo facial reconstructive surgery and rehabilitation to re-learn how to do basic things.

"She’s going to live, but she’ll have permanent damage," Leah, who learned of the attack on social media, was quoted as saying by CBS 3.

"She’s going to have to have a new face. I’m saying it, she’ll never have the face she was born with, and they said that’s the hard part when she can look in the mirror and see a different face looking back at her," the mother added.

Prior to being set on fire, police said Alyssa got into a fight with a man and a woman, who have not yet been identified. Witnesses told authorities they saw the woman throwing some kind of liquid at the victim and then setting her on fire.

The fire department later arrived at the scene to put out the fire and discovered Alyssa.

Police have since launched an aggravated assault investigation. They are also reviewing surveillance footage and trying to get leads from people in the area.

No arrests have been made thus far.

The people responsible for the attack on Alyssa can be charged with arson, aggravated assault and reckless endangerment, among other serious crimes, should police determine she was intentionally set on fire.

Morales, who was homeless, battled drug addiction, according to her mother.

"She never hurt anybody, just herself. She’s just an addict, misguided. She went to college and she just fell into that hole, and can’t climb out," Leah said.

"I’m sad, I’m broken, I’m angry, so angry. I just want to know who did this... Who could possibly do it?" she added.

People with information on the incident are urged to contact police at 215-686-TIPS.