7YO US Girl Placed In Coma After Toy Experiment Went Wrong: What Happened

A seven-year-old girl from Festus, Missouri, suffered serious third-degree burns and had to be placed in a medically induced coma after a popular squishy toy, the NeeDoh cube, exploded in her face. The tragic accident occurred when she attempted to recreate a viral TikTok experiment involving freezing and microwaving the toy.

7-Year-Old Girl in Coma After TikTok Toy Experiment Goes Wrong

As reported by the New York Post, Scarlett Selby had seen online videos showing people changing the texture of NeeDoh cubes by first freezing them and then heating them in the microwave. Hoping to try it herself, she placed the toy in the microwave, unaware of the danger. However, as soon as she took it out, the cube suddenly exploded, spraying her face and chest with extremely hot, sticky material. The severe burns left Scarlett in unbearable pain.

Her father, Josh Selby, 44, was alerted by his daughter’s agonising screams. "It all happened so quickly. I heard her scream, and it was like a blood-curdling scream," he recalled.

Josh rushed to help Scarlett, trying desperately to remove the burning, glue-like substance from her skin and clothes. She was immediately taken to the hospital, where doctors placed her in a coma. Since some of the burns were near her mouth, there was a serious risk of airway swelling, which could have been life-threatening.

Scarlett is now recovering but still struggles with the emotional and physical impact of the accident. Her mother, Amanda Blakenship, shared how her daughter’s scars have affected her self-esteem. "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. Or she'll come home from school and say another kid asked her about it," she said.

Amanda also explained that Scarlett’s treatment is ongoing. "We’re still putting creams and silicone ointments on it daily. They’re such profound scars that stick up off of her skin," she added, mentioning that doctors have suggested waiting until Scarlett is around 12 years old to determine if further medical intervention is needed.

A Warning to Parents About NeeDoh Toys

Scarlett’s father is now warning other parents to avoid NeeDoh toys completely. He explained that the material inside the toy behaves like hot glue when heated, making it extremely dangerous.

"Once it comes into contact with the skin, it’s extremely difficult to remove," he stressed. He also raised concerns about the safety of the toy and its marketing, arguing that it should not be sold in its current form.