Toddler Battles for Recovery After Rattlesnake Bite Leaves Her Unable to Smile
A 15-month-old girl from Arizona is fighting for her life and future after being bitten twice by a diamondback rattlesnake—an attack that has left her unable to smile and facing an uncertain medical journey.
The terrifying incident occurred Friday in Florence, where little Cara and her mother, Jacquelyn Reed, were taking a short walk near their home. Reed had briefly stepped away to throw out the trash, but within seconds, she heard her daughter’s cries.
She rushed back to find Cara with four puncture wounds visible through her jelly shoe. Behind the toddler, a rattlesnake lay coiled—ready to strike again.
Panicked, Reed scooped up her daughter and raced to the nearest emergency room, alerting staff en route that Cara would need antivenom. But it took over an hour for the hospital to administer the life-saving treatment. During that agonizing delay, Cara’s foot began turning black, according to a GoFundMe campaign created to help cover the family’s mounting medical expenses.
The situation quickly worsened. Cara began vomiting and lost consciousness, prompting an emergency airlift to Phoenix Children’s Hospital, where she has since received 30 vials of antivenom—and may need more as her recovery continues.
Her condition remains critical. After struggling to breathe, Cara had to be intubated. The breathing tube was removed on Tuesday, but her recovery remained rocky. For hours afterward, she labored to breathe, and her oxygen levels dangerously dropped to just 25 percent.
Doctors soon discovered her vocal cords were nearly swollen shut. A team of ear, nose, and throat specialists was called in. Steroids, respiratory therapies, and helium-enriched oxygen were administered, and her position was carefully adjusted to help with a floppy airway.
“We were told that if she didn’t improve within the hour, they would have to reintubate her and perform a vocal cord dilation surgery,” wrote Cara’s aunt, Delia, on the fundraising page.
In a moment of hope, Cara began to stabilize.
“She slowly showed improvement and got over the hump,” Delia shared. By Wednesday, Cara could receive nourishment through a feeding tube and was alert enough to make eye contact and express distress when her mother stepped away.
“She is so strong and resilient, and we are incredibly thankful for the progress she’s making,” Delia said.
Still, the road ahead is uncertain. Doctors have warned the family about potential long-term damage to Cara’s foot, and surgery remains a possibility.
“We don’t yet know the extent of her recovery, and sadly, nothing is off the table when it comes to long-term damage,” Delia explained.
Despite the trauma and emotional toll, Cara’s family is overwhelmed with gratitude for the support they’ve received—and for the fact that Cara is still here.
“We are just so thankful to still have our little girl with us,” Delia wrote. More than \$17,000 has already been raised to assist with Cara’s treatment and recovery.
“Cara is truly a blessing from God, and somehow, everyone can feel it,” Jacquelyn said, deeply moved by the outpouring of love.
“We feel your love and support every single day, and we know without a doubt that Cara was spared because of the overwhelming faith and prayers from all who love her.”
Jacquelyn lovingly calls her daughter “the angel of the family” and is holding onto hope that Cara will one day return to her joyful, smiling self.
