A four-year-old was taken to the hospital after being bitten by a copperhead snake while playing at a daycare playground in North Carolina. The incident occurred at the New Beginnings Child Enrichment Center, where the child was near the sandbox when the snake bit his left hand, causing his fingers to swell.
Initially, the family was informed that their child may have just suffered minor injuries, like fractures. However, a staff member ended up killing the snake following the incident.
The boy’s aunt, Brooke Cooper, expressed her concern and confusion when they learned the full extent of the situation. “The director said he got bitten by a snake. My first thought was, why didn’t they call 911? Do other parents know what happened?” she shared with a local outlet.
Cooper also mentioned that it was actually the child’s guardian who took him to the hospital, as the daycare did not reach out to emergency services. Alexander County Emergency Services later confirmed that they had not received any call from the daycare regarding the incident.
There’s been no update on the boy’s condition. Local officials noted that their emergency services unit responds to snake bites annually, assisting patients before transporting them to the hospital.
While NBCEC officials have not commented on the situation, bites from copperhead snakes can lead to significant swelling, bruising, and other symptoms like vomiting and low blood pressure. It’s noteworthy that symptoms may linger for up to 12 hours, and complications can arise due to the venom, as copperheads belong to the same subfamily as rattlesnakes and cottonmouths.
