KVOA (Tucson, Arizona) 13 April 07 Girl in hospital after rattle snake bite

A five year old girl has a long recovery ahead of her. She's getting back on her feet after a rattlesnake bit her big toe Wednesday night.

The little girl's parents quickly came to her aid, killing the snake with a shovel.

They had the presence of mind to keep the snake so emergency crews would know what kind of anti-venom to give the little girl.

All it took was a two second encounter with a rattlesnake for five year old Amelia Gillette to end up at Tucson Medical Center.

"I put one foot out and it bit me," she said.

The rattler bit Amelia as she headed outside to look at kites blowing in the wind.

"She walked out the back door, opened the gate and right there was a young snake that bit her," said Amelia's mother, Lynne Gillette.

Amelia added, "I screamed and I ran inside."

Her mom described what happened next: "She came running right back into the house and I saw the two little puncture wounds on the top of her toe and it took her about ten seconds to calm down enough to tell me it was a snake."

Emergency crews rushed Amelia to the hospital in an ambulance.

The girl's toe quickly turned black and blue and her entire leg began to swell.

"They gave us some anti-venom serum and the anti venom serum is helping control the swelling," her mother said.

Emergency responders worked with poison control to figure out what dosage of anti venom to give Amelia.

The Gilette's say they'd heard stories about rattlesnakes in the bushes, but they never actually thought that someone in their family would get bit. From now on, they say when they're near tall grass, they're going to bring a stick and rustle it in the bushes. That way if there is a snake, it'll bite the stick first and they'll know if it's there.

Amelia's experience, they say should be a reminder for all of us to be more aware.

"Really watch the ground instead of the kites when you're walking," said Gillette.

Gail Barry, the woman who killed the rattler with a shovel added as she looked at Amelia, "It's something we all need to be aware of, here's a good example laying here in this bed."
Girl in hospital after rattle snake bite

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