A seven-year-old girl from Missouri was placed in a coma after a squishy toy exploded in her face. Scarlett Selby froze a NeeDoh cube, then microwaved it after watching TikTok and YouTube videos showing the trend. When she removed it from the microwave, the toy exploded, covering her face and chest in burning glue-like material.
Her father, Josh Selby, said he heard a “blood-curdling scream” and rushed to help: “Whenever I touched her, my hand stuck to her.” He tore off her clothes and rushed her to the hospital, where Scarlett was put into an induced coma for three days due to severe burns around her mouth and face. She remained hospitalized for a week and was placed on a feeding tube.
Her mother, Amanda Blankenship, said Scarlett “wanted to try it out for herself” after seeing videos online. The family is now warning others, urging people to throw away similar toys.
Toy maker Schylling Toys states on its website: “Do NOT heat, freeze, or microwave.” TikTok and YouTube said they prohibit dangerous content, and both platforms claim they’re working to remove harmful trends and protect users. Scarlett may still require skin grafts due to her injuries.