A seven-year-old girl, Scarlett Selby, was left with horrific injuries and placed in a coma after attempting to recreate a video she saw online. Scarlett had watched TikTok and YouTube clips of people microwaving a NeeDoh cube a squishy toy and decided to try it herself.
Her mother, Amanda Blakenship, explained that Scarlett had frozen the toy overnight and then microwaved it for a few seconds, following what she had seen online. Tragically, the toy exploded in the microwave, covering Scarlett’s face and chest with red-hot, sticky goo.
Scarlett’s father, Josh Selby, described the terrifying moment he heard his daughter’s “blood-curdling scream” and rushed to help her. He tried to remove the sticky substance from her skin and clothes, but it was so thick and hot that it stuck to her.
Josh quickly ripped off her shirt, which was also covered in the melted toy, and rushed her to the hospital. Scarlett was taken to St. Louis Children’s Hospital, where doctors placed her in an induced coma to prevent her airways from swelling and closing due to the severe burns.
Scarlett’s parents were devastated by the accident. Amanda recalled how Scarlett was still screaming in pain during the 30-minute drive to the hospital, and Josh admitted he was emotionally shattered, crying constantly during the week Scarlett spent in the hospital, including the three days she was in a coma. The incident left Scarlett with second and third-degree burns, and months later, the family is still waiting to find out if she will need skin grafts to heal the scars.
Amanda shared that Scarlett often gets upset about her scars, especially when other children ask her about them or when she sees herself in the mirror. She tries to reassure her daughter, telling her that the scars are a reminder of her strength and that she is still beautiful. Despite the emotional and physical toll, Scarlett’s parents are determined to raise awareness about the dangers of such toys and have urged others to throw them away to prevent similar accidents.
The manufacturer of the NeeDoh cube, Schylling Toys, includes a warning on its website advising against heating, freezing, or microwaving the toy, as it may cause injury. TikTok and YouTube have also responded to the incident, with TikTok stating that it does not allow content promoting dangerous behavior, and YouTube emphasizing that it is a platform for users aged 13 and older, with safety as a top priority. Both platforms have policies in place to remove such content.
Scarlett’s parents hope that by sharing their story, they can prevent other families from experiencing similar tragedies. They are urging parents to be vigilant about what their children watch online and to ensure that potentially dangerous toys are kept out of reach. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with children attempting to replicate online challenges or experiments without understanding the potential consequences.