CENTRALIA, Wash. (AP) -- Police are investigating how a 13-year-old Washington state boy got a tattoo.

The Centralia boy's mother and police tell KING-TV (http://is.gd/SrnZxN ) the 6-inch dragon tattoo was inked while the boy was on a trip with a family friend.

The boy, who wasn't identified, told his mom the tattoo marked his surviving leukemia. He isn't saying who did it.

It's a misdemeanor to tattoo a minor in Washington.

State Department of Licensing spokeswoman Christine Anthony says the agency will follow the police investigation and decide whether to take disciplinary action, which would mean a fine or suspension.

The department has received complaints about safety and sanitation, but this is the first involving a minor.

The state started licensing the tattoo business two years ago. There currently are 383 tattoo shops and 1,124 licensed artists in Washington.

---

Information from: KING-TV, http://www.king5.com/