As parents, we strive to do everything in our power to safeguard the health and well-being of our children. We make thoughtful decisions and, when necessary, seek medical care to provide for our children in ways we cannot do alone. However, even the most vigilant parents can’t be on high alert 24/7, and sometimes, seemingly harmless situations can unexpectedly turn dangerous. This was recently highlighted in a harrowing incident involving an Illinois mother and her young son.
The incident occurred during what is typically a joyful and relaxing time for parents and children alike: bath time. Eden Strong was giving her two-year-old son, Baylor, a bath when she noticed his eye appeared slightly irritated. At first, she didn’t think much of it, but the irritation quickly worsened. Within 12 hours, his eye went from being pink to severely infected. Baylor was diagnosed with cellulitis, a serious bacterial skin infection that can spread rapidly.
Eden took to Facebook to share her experience, describing how Baylor’s eye had swollen to the point of protruding from his face. She wrote, "It was very obscured. He was running a raging fever. I cried the entire drive to a larger hospital, praying that he wouldn’t lose his eye.” The following week was filled with fear and uncertainty as the infection spread down his face and to both eyes. Doctors warned that Baylor might lose vision in his more severely affected eye, but thankfully, after treatment, his eyes healed completely.
The cause of the infection? A squirting bath toy. Eden explained, "I later found out that because water never fully drains from those types of toys, they can harbor bacteria that’s nearly impossible to eliminate.” She shared photos of Baylor’s ordeal on Facebook, and the post quickly went viral, resonating with hundreds of thousands of people. Many responded by sharing their own stories of similar incidents involving bath toys.
Since the incident, Eden has thrown away all of Baylor’s squeezable bath toys. She now warns other parents, "Those toys may seem cute, fun, and affordable, but they’re just not worth the risk.” Her story serves as a powerful reminder to parents to remain cautious, even during routine activities, and to carefully consider the potential hazards of everyday items.
