7-Year-Old Girl Left in Coma After Dangerous Squishy Toy Trend Goes Horribly Wrong

Seven-year-old Scarlett Selby suffered severe burns after a NeeDoh squishy toy reportedly exploded when she heated it after watching an online trend. Doctors placed her in an induced coma for three days, fearing swelling around her mouth could block her airway.

Her parents, Josh Selby and Amanda Blakenship, described the terrifying ordeal and say their daughter faces lasting scars. They are now sharing her story to warn other families about the dangers of copying viral trends.

Scarlett’s family says she had frozen the toy overnight before microwaving it the next day. The manufacturer warns consumers not to heat, freeze, or microwave NeeDoh toys, as doing so can cause personal injury.

The toy reportedly burst while Scarlett was handling it, leaving her with serious burns to her face and body. Her injuries were severe enough that she needed urgent medical treatment, and doctors decided to place her in an induced coma while they monitored the swelling.

For her parents, the incident was a nightmare that began with what appeared to be an innocent children’s toy. They say Scarlett had seen the trend online and did not understand the potential danger involved in changing the toy’s temperature before putting it in the microwave.

After three days in the induced coma, Scarlett was brought out of sedation as her condition improved. However, her family says the ordeal has left her with significant injuries and scars that may remain long after her physical wounds have healed.

Her parents are now using the experience to encourage other families to talk to children about viral challenges and explain that something being posted online does not make it safe to copy.

They also want parents to pay close attention to the instructions and safety warnings that come with children’s products. Even when a trend appears harmless, altering a toy in a way the manufacturer specifically prohibits can have serious consequences.

Scarlett’s story has become a painful reminder that viral experiments can carry real-world risks, particularly when children attempt them without understanding what can happen.

Now, her parents are urging families to take online challenges seriously and keep children away from dangerous toy experiments. Their warning could help prevent another child from suffering the same injuries. 👇