A seemingly harmless squishy toy trend shared on social media has left a seven-year-old girl in a coma with severe burns. In October 2024, Scarlett Selby from Festus, Missouri, became the victim of a horrific accident. She attempted to replicate a viral TikTok hack involving a NeeDoh squishy cube. The trend encouraged users to freeze the toy and then microwave it to make it softer. Unfortunately, when Scarlett followed these steps, the toy exploded and caused catastrophic injuries.
The Moment It Happened
According to Scarlett’s father, Josh Selby, the incident happened in a matter of seconds. Scarlett had frozen her NeeDoh cube overnight. The next day she placed it in the microwave for a few seconds. As she attempted to remove it, the toy exploded. It sprayed her chest, face and mouth with a thick, sticky, scalding substance. Josh described hearing a blood-curdling scream and rushing to help his daughter. Only to find the hot goo adhered to her skin and clothes.
Desperate Actions and a Hospital Dash
Josh immediately ripped the shirt off Scarlett’s body, trying to remove the burning material, which had stuck to her skin like glue. His hands stuck to her every time he touched her. In a panic, he rushed her to the hospital. On arrival, she was quickly placed into an induced coma to prevent her airways from swelling shut. Scarlett’s burns were so severe, particularly around her mouth, that she had to be fitted with a feeding tube for the duration of her week-long stay.
An Emotional Toll on the Family After Squishy Toy Trend Goes Wrong
For three of those days, Scarlett remained in a coma while her family feared the worst. Josh described being in a constant state of distress, unable to speak to anyone without crying. Scarlett’s mother, Amanda Blankenship, recounted the harrowing 30-minute drive to the hospital as her daughter screamed in pain the entire way. She said Scarlett had seen others performing the toy-heating trick on TikTok and YouTube and wanted to try it herself. Completely unaware of the danger she was in.
Ongoing Medical Concerns
Although doctors chose not to perform a skin graft during her hospital stay, Amanda fears that Scarlett may still need one in the future due to the extent of her injuries. She described the scars as “profound,” especially around the lips and chin area. The family continues to monitor her recovery and are deeply concerned about potential long-term effects, both physically and emotionally.
Read More: Toddler, 4, Goes Blind After Biting Into Persil Washing Pod, Mom Shares Warning
Parents Issue a Stark Warning
Scarlett’s parents are now speaking out to warn others about the dangers of copying viral trends without understanding the risks. Josh Selby has urged all parents to throw away squishy toys like NeeDoh cubes. Epecially if children may attempt to replicate what they have seen online. He explained that the substance inside the toy reacts similarly to hot glue and can stick instantly to skin, making it nearly impossible to remove without causing further harm.
Questions Raised About Product Safety
The manufacturer of the NeeDoh toy, Schylling Toys, does have a warning on its website that clearly states: “Do NOT heat, freeze, or microwave, may cause personal injury.” However, Josh believes that this is not enough, considering the squishy toy trend’s mere existence. He insists that the toy should not be sold in its current form if it can explode under normal household conditions. He also stressed that such toys should not be marketed to children without greater safety measures in place.
Social Media Platforms Respond
In the wake of the incident, both TikTok and YouTube have responded to concerns. TikTok stated that it does not allow content that promotes dangerous behavior and said it has technology in place to detect spikes in harmful trend-related content. YouTube explained that its platform is only for users aged 13 and over, and that accounts for underage users are subject to removal or must be set up under parental supervision. Both platforms repeated their commitment to user safety and claimed that they actively remove videos showing minors participating in risky activities.
The Larger Issue of Online Trends
This heartbreaking event reminds us of the growing problem of children being exposed to unsafe content on social media. With easy access to smartphones, children are increasingly attempting to replicate viral trends without fully understanding the consequences. Despite warnings and content moderation efforts, harmful videos can still reach young audiences and influence their behavior.
A Tragic Reminder of the Dangers
Scarlett’s story is a tragic reminder of how quickly a popular trend can lead to real-world consequences. Her parents are determined to raise awareness about the risks associated with squishy toys and dangerous online challenges. They hope that by sharing their daughter’s painful experience, other families will think twice before allowing their children to participate in similar trends. Social media needs to continue to influence young minds, along with platforms that allow this content to spread.
Read More: Mother Shares Emotional Plea: ‘Don’t Buy Them’ After Son Dies from Helium Asphyxiation on Birthday
