A mother from Virginia is sounding the alarm on seatbelt safety after a terrifying incident involving her 6-year-old daughter, Mia. Just weeks ago, Mia was released from the hospital following a serious car accident while returning from a county fair with her dad. The car collided with a tree, and unfortunately, Mia was not in a booster seat as her mother, Jenna, believed she had outgrown it. To make matters worse, Mia had slipped the shoulder strap behind her back, a common mistake among kids.
Jenna shared her harrowing experience in an interview with local news. “It was torturous,” she recalled, describing the moment she received the call about Mia’s injuries. “They told me she had severe facial injuries, head trauma, and lacerations to her stomach. I couldn’t breathe.”
Doctors later revealed Mia was fortunate to survive; the seatbelt had cut into her abdomen during the crash, causing significant damage. The physician stated that she was essentially “cut in two,” with repairs on her intestines proving to be incredibly complex.
Mia’s injuries were identified as “seatbelt syndrome,” which includes damage to the spine, abdomen, and head, typically occurring when only the lap portion of a seatbelt is used. Now recovering at home, Mia requires a binder around her belly to aid her healing process. Jenna, reflective and remorseful, is now passionately advocating for proper car seat usage and seatbelt safety, even if it means acknowledging her own mistakes. “Many parents think it’s okay to transition their kids out of booster seats when they no longer fit comfortably,” Jenna warns. “That’s not the case at all.”
Experts echo her sentiments; according to Alisa Baer from The Car Seat Lady, harness straps need to be snugger than most parents realize. Plus, moving to a booster seat is not solely based on weight—many seats accommodate children up to 65-90 pounds with a harness, and there are various height limits to consider.
Another critical error was Mia moving the shoulder strap behind her, which significantly increases the risk of abdominal and spinal injuries during a crash. “Without the shoulder belt, your upper body can shift forward, causing the lap belt to ride too high on the abdomen—an area that simply can’t withstand severe forces,” Baer explains.
Jenna recounted the sleepless nights she spent at Mia’s bedside in the hospital, filled with guilt that this tragedy could have been prevented. “Accidents happen in the blink of an eye,” she said, emphasizing the importance of proper safety measures.
As she continues to navigate the challenges of Mia’s recovery, Jenna hopes her story will serve as a wake-up call for parents everywhere. To learn more about ensuring your child’s safety, check out this excellent resource on pregnancy and home insemination.
In a world where we juggle so many things, let’s not forget the vital importance of keeping our little ones safe during every car ride.