Mom Issues Warning After Seatbelt Blunder Nearly Costs Daughter Her Life

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A mother from Virginia is sounding the alarm on seatbelt safety after her 6-year-old daughter, Lily, faced a harrowing recovery following a car accident. The little girl had just returned from a county fair with her dad when their vehicle crashed into a tree.

Lily’s mother, Jenna, mistakenly believed her daughter had outgrown her booster seat. To make matters worse, Lily had moved the shoulder strap behind her back—something many kids do—but it’s a dangerous move that can lead to serious injuries. In an emotional interview with local news, Jenna described the gut-wrenching moment she received the call about the crash.

“It was like torture,” Jenna recalled. “They told me she had facial and head injuries and stomach lacerations. I was left in agony for hours without knowing if she would survive.”

Doctors later revealed that Lily was incredibly fortunate to be alive. The seatbelt had cut through her abdomen, resulting in severe internal injuries. A surgeon explained that she was essentially “cut in two,” and much of the damage couldn’t be repaired. This condition, termed “seatbelt syndrome,” can lead to devastating injuries, particularly when only the lap portion of the seatbelt is used.

Now back home, Lily wears a binder around her belly to aid in her recovery. Jenna wants to ensure that other parents understand the critical importance of car seat safety. “Many think it’s okay to switch from a booster seat just because their child is getting bigger,” she cautioned. “That’s not true.”

Experts agree with Jenna. According to The Car Seat Guru, harness straps should fit snugly against a child—not loosely as some parents may believe. Additionally, many car seats accommodate children up to 65 or even 90 pounds, so rushing to a booster seat isn’t always the safest option.

Moreover, when children slide the shoulder strap behind them, it increases the risk of abdominal injuries in a crash. “Without the shoulder belt, the lap belt can shift during an accident, putting all the crash forces on a weak area of the abdomen,” warns safety expert, Alisa Baer. She emphasizes that this can lead to serious internal damage, just like what happened to Lily.

Jenna spent countless nights at the hospital by her daughter’s side, grappling with the reality that this tragic incident could have been avoided. “It all happens so quickly,” she said, “and I’ll always carry the guilt of knowing we could’ve done better.”

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In summary, Jenna’s story is a poignant reminder of the necessity of proper car seat usage and the potential dangers of neglecting safety measures. Parents must be vigilant in ensuring their children are safely restrained in vehicles to avoid potentially life-altering consequences.