A seven-year-old girl from the US state of Missouri, Scarlett Selby, was left in a coma after a squishy toy exploded during a viral TikTok challenge.
The incident occurred when Scarlett attempted the dangerous trend of freezing a NeeDoh stress toy and then microwaving it to soften.
What started as a fun experiment quickly turned into a nightmare when the toy exploded, splattering a hot, sticky substance onto Scarlett’s chest, mouth, and chin. Her father, Josh Selby, tried to wipe it off, but the substance stuck to his hand.
He rushed her to the hospital, where doctors placed her in a medically induced coma to prevent swelling in her airways from severe burns.
Josh recalled the terrifying moment, saying, “She had frozen the NeeDoh cube the night before, and when she showed me the next day, it was rock solid. Everything happened so fast. I heard a blood-curdling scream as the toy exploded all over her chest, mouth, and chin.”
Scarlett spent a week in the hospital, including three days in a coma. Her parents are now urging other parents to discard the toy, warning of the dangerous consequences, as the substance inside the toy acts like glue, making it nearly impossible to remove once it hardens.
The toy’s manufacturer, Schylling Toys, has yet to comment, although their website warns against microwaving, freezing, or heating the product due to potential hazards.
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