Burned Iraqi Boy, Five Years Later
SAMBOLIN: Welcome back to STARTING POINT, a couple of top stories. A jury in Ohio is recommending the death penalty for Craigslist killer Richard Beasley. The 53-year-old Beasley was found guilty last week of murdering three men who answered a bogus Craigslist ad for work on a cattle farm. This was in 2011. A judge will consider the jury's recommendation before handing down a sentence next week. Much lighter note here, NBC says it's building a new studio in New York for Jimmy Fallon. But that's all they are saying, at least for now. Meantime, the "New York Times" reports Fallon will replace Leno as "Tonight Show" host and the show will return to New York. The "Times" report says that the only thing not set in stone is NBC's timetable for all of these changes. John and Christie.</s>ROMANS: All right, thank you Zoraida. Now a true story of triumph over tragedy. Nearly six years ago, masked men poured gasoline on a 5-year-old Iraqi boy named Youssif and they lit his face on fire. But this story has turned now into a story of strength. Dr. Sanjay Gupta has that story on today's "Human Factor."</s>YOUSSIF, SET ON FIRE: So this is the classroom. I sit in that seat over there.</s>DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORESPONDENT (voice over): It's amazing to me what a typical American 10-year-old kid Youssif has become.</s>YOUSELF: These molecules move faster.</s>GUPTA: This was Youssif just five years old at the time. He was attacked by masked men right in front of his home in Baghdad. They poured gasoline on his face and then set him on fire. (on camera): What's the first thing you remember about all of that?</s>YOUSSIF: I just like to remember the doctor getting a sponge. And I was like, oh.</s>GUPTA: In Iraq?</s>YOUSSIF: Yes.</s>GUPTA: And they had a sponge.</s>YOUSSIF: I think they like scratching on me or something.</s>GUPTA: They were trying to take off some of the burned skin?</s>YOUSSIF: Yes.</s>GUPTA (voice over): Youssif's parents were desperate to see their boy smile again, so just months after the attack, they came to the United States with a single suitcase. Their living expenses and their medical expenses, all of it, was paid for by the kindness of strangers. And we have followed their journey since 2007. Youssif has had 19 operations, a total of 61 procedures to help correct the burn damage. Youssif's father still doesn't want to show his face for fear of retaliation. (on camera): Do you tell people what happened to him?</s>WISAM, YOUSSIF'S FATHER: I have to tell them when they ask. I mean sometimes it bothers me when they don't ask and they keep just looking. It's really bothered me.</s>GUPTA (voice over): But it doesn't bother Youssif. He's a happy kid, he's smart, confident. His parents say he never complains, he never asks about the scars on his face.</s>YOUSSIF: I can see that there is like one, two, three spaces.</s>GUPTA: Youssif's parents say all of this still feels like a dream. (on camera): Have you had a hard time making friends at all?</s>YOUSSIF: No, it's like -- it is like whenever a new kid comes, the next day, we're just friends.</s>GUPTA: Is that right?</s>YOUSSIF: Yes.</s>GUPTA: Is -- is anybody ever mean to you?</s>YOUSSIF: No.</s>GUPTA: Once victims, now a family full of strength. Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN, Canoga Park, California.</s>CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: Most of the items you saw on Youssif's apartment were donated. If you want to donate directly you can reach his family on Twitter @Youssifiraqi -- all in one word.</s>JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Next we're going to have a passionate plea from a 12-year-old speaking out for the first time about same-sex marriage. We're going to Daniel Leffew who was adopted by two gay fathers about the letter wrote to Supreme Court Justice John Roberts.