SANTA CLARITA, Calif. — A California father is sharing a harrowing warning to parents after his 3-year-old daughter, Addy, was bitten by a Southern Pacific rattlesnake that was lurking beneath an Amazon package on their doorstep. The terrifying incident left the young girl fighting for her life and has highlighted the unexpected dangers that can hide in everyday deliveries.

According to her father, Manuel Barajas, Addy excitedly ran outside to retrieve what she thought was a gift when the snake struck her left hand. Her mother, Lynn, quickly rushed her to meet firefighters and paramedics at a nearby grocery store parking lot. Addy received her first dose of antivenom at a local hospital before being transferred to a facility with a pediatric ICU.

“She needed two more doses of antivenom and spent two nights in the hospital,” Barajas shared in a GoFundMe update. He was out of town for work at the time and flew home immediately to be with his family. The medical ordeal has been financially straining, with significant costs from antivenom treatments and hospital care.

Addy is recovering, but the family is urging caution. Barajas emphasized the importance of vigilance, especially in areas where rattlesnakes are common. The family has set up a GoFundMe to help cover medical bills and lost wages, which has raised a portion of its $4,500 goal.

This incident comes amid several other rattlesnake encounters in California this year, including fatal bites on hikers and mountain bikers. Health officials note that while thousands of venomous snakebites occur annually in the U.S., fatalities remain rare with prompt treatment.

Parents are advised to inspect packages carefully, teach children snake safety, and seek immediate medical attention for any suspected bite. Symptoms can escalate quickly in young children.

Sources:

• New York Post