Toddler Survives Rare and Dangerous Double Snake Bite in Arizona

What started as a normal day for one Arizona family quickly turned into a nightmare when their 15-month-old daughter was bitten twice by a venomous snake just feet from their home.

Jacquelyn Reed was outside with her toddler, Cara, near their home in Florence, Arizona, late last week when the terrifying incident happened.

“I stepped away for just a few seconds to toss some trash — maybe 50 feet away,” Jacquelyn shared in a Facebook post. “In that short moment, a snake bit her twice.”

When she returned, Cara was crying. That’s when Jacquelyn saw the snake hiding behind a propane tank and realized what had happened.

A Race Against Time

The family rushed little Cara to the emergency room, where doctors immediately began administering antivenom. But the effects of the venom hit hard — and fast.

“Cara was deteriorating quickly — she became lethargic and started vomiting a lot,” Jacquelyn wrote. “She was intubated and flown to the pediatric ICU at Phoenix Children’s Hospital.”

Doctors worked around the clock, administering over 30 vials of antivenom to fight off the toxins. Her mother said they were closely monitoring her foot for swelling and blood flow — all while keeping her intubated to help manage her pain.

Cara’s aunt, Delia Reed, launched a GoFundMe page to help with medical costs, sharing updates as Cara fought through one of the most serious cases doctors had seen.

A Long Road Ahead

Throughout her hospital stay, Jacquelyn has documented her daughter’s progress — including photos showing Cara with oxygen tubes and a blackened, severely injured foot.

At one point, her oxygen levels dipped dangerously low — down to 25%. Doctors told the family her foot injury was among the most severe they had treated.

“We don’t yet know the extent of the long-term damage,” Jacquelyn wrote in an emotional update. “Right now, everything is still on the table.”

A Glimmer of Hope

Despite the trauma, Cara’s resilience is shining through.

“Cara was able to come off heliox and by the end of the day — no oxygen at all!” her mother announced Thursday. “We even stopped her tube feeds this morning to see if she’ll eat on her own. We’re hoping she’ll eat enough to come home without needing the feeding tube.”

Doctors are waiting to run further tests to see if any venom remains in her system and whether it’s causing internal bleeding. But for now, the family is focusing on every small victory.

“Our sweet warrior continues to fight a hard fight,” Jacquelyn said. “We are so blessed. Every doctor who sees her says she’s a miracle. She shouldn’t be here — but she is.”

The Bigger Picture

According to the Cleveland Clinic, venomous snake bites — especially multiple bites — are extremely dangerous and potentially life-threatening. A double bite can deliver a much higher dose of venom, leaving a much smaller window for treatment.

Thankfully, Cara got the medical care she needed in time.

As of Thursday night, the family’s GoFundMe campaign had raised over $17,000 to help cover hospital bills and ongoing treatment.