What began as a simple experiment quickly turned into a horrific accident for seven-year-old Scarlett Selby, a young girl from Missouri. Like many children her age, Scarlett loved playing with her NeeDoh squishy toy, a popular stress-relieving gadget known for providing hours of sensory play. Inspired by videos circulating on TikTok, she decided to take the toy experiment a step further, trying to freeze and microwave the toy to make it more interesting.
Scarlett’s parents had no reason to worry at first, as the toy came with a clear warning on the packaging: “Do NOT heat, freeze, or microwave, may cause personal injury.” However, as many social media users were showcasing videos of the same activities, despite the warnings, Scarlett and other children started to follow the trend. The squishy toys, made by Schylling Toys, are filled with polyvinyl alcohol, and while they are a fun tool for sensory stimulation, they become hazardous when subjected to heat or freezing.
In her attempt to level up her toy, Scarlett placed it in the freezer overnight, hoping to make it a little firmer. The next day, she microwaved the toy for a few seconds to further change its texture. According to her father, Josh Selby, Scarlett showed him the frozen toy, which had become rock-solid, and proudly played with it before sticking it in the microwave. “She stuck it in the microwave. I was watching her and saw her touch it to check it wasn’t too hot when she pulled it out,” Josh recalled. Little did they know that the seemingly harmless experiment was about to go terribly wrong.
As Scarlett pulled the microwaved squishy toy out of the microwave, the toy suddenly exploded. The squishy toy burst, sending hot, gooey substance everywhere. Josh heard Scarlett’s scream, one so blood-curdling that it instantly filled him with panic. The toy’s explosive contents covered Scarlett’s chest, chin, and mouth in thick, sticky goo that was incredibly hard to remove.
“I heard her scream, and it was like a blood-curdling scream. It had exploded all over her chest, mouth, and chin,” Josh said, reflecting on the moment. With panic setting in, he rushed over to try to help his daughter but was shocked at the difficulty of removing the substance from Scarlett’s body. The goo stuck to everything, including his hands, and even her shirt. “Whenever I touched her, my hand stuck to her. It was really thick and sticky. I ripped her shirt off of her because it was stuck to her shirt as well,” Josh said, describing the tragic scene that unfolded.
In a state of complete distress, Josh rushed Scarlett to the hospital, with her mother, Amanda Blakenship, also by her side. The drive was agonizing, as Scarlett continued to scream in pain throughout the entire trip. “She was in so much pain. She was still screaming when we got to the hospital,” Amanda recalled, her heart breaking as she witnessed her daughter’s suffering.
When the family arrived at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, doctors immediately placed Scarlett in an induced coma, working tirelessly to stabilize her condition. She had severe burns to her lips and mouth from the goo, and a feeding tube was required due to the extent of her injuries. Scarlett’s parents could hardly believe the extent of the damage; what started as a fun experiment had escalated into a nightmare.
After a week in the hospital, Scarlett was finally discharged, but the emotional scars she would carry with her were just beginning. Despite doctors’ efforts to treat the physical injuries, Amanda feared that Scarlett’s scarring would be permanent. The doctors had opted against performing a skin graft for now, but Amanda knew that further treatment might be necessary.
Scarlett’s emotional toll also became apparent as she struggled to cope with the aftermath. “She often finds herself staring at her reflection in the mirror after a bath, tears streaming down her face,” her mother said, describing the emotional weight her daughter now carried. Scarlett’s scarring was evident, and she often became self-conscious of the marks left behind.
“She gets very self-conscious, and I’ll see her trying to cover her scar up with her shirt when we’re out in public,” Amanda explained. “She’ll come home from school and tell me that other kids asked her about it. It’s heartbreaking to watch.” As her mother, Amanda tries to console Scarlett, reminding her that there is no need to be embarrassed. “She went through a lot, and it was a terrible, terrible accident,” Amanda added, expressing the difficulty of seeing her daughter struggle with both the physical and emotional repercussions of that day.
This tragic incident serves as a warning to parents and children alike, highlighting the importance of taking toy warnings seriously. What might have started as an innocent attempt to enhance a toy quickly escalated into a painful and life-changing experience for Scarlett. The emotional scars left behind are just as significant as the physical injuries she sustained. For Scarlett, the healing journey is far from over, but with the support of her loving family, she is learning to cope with the aftermath of that horrific day.