A 12-year-old girl from Watford underwent emergency surgery after swallowing a magnetic fidget toy that caused significant internal injuries. Bella Woodall, who has autism and ADHD, was playing with the small magnetic balls, which her mother, Ria-Willis Bignell, reported she uses to help manage her sensory difficulties.
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Bignell explained that Bella occasionally played with the toys, typically once a month, due to her varied collection of fidget items. “When she needs calming down, she will fidget with these things,” said Bignell, a special education teaching assistant who purchased the magnets online on February 19. However, on an unfortunate day, Bella entered the room in a giggly state and nervously confessed to swallowing the small magnets.
Initially, there were no visible signs of distress; Bella was not in any pain. “We wouldn’t have noticed if she hadn’t told me,” Bignell remarked. This lack of immediate symptoms prompted Bignell to act quickly. Concerned about her daughter’s wellbeing, she rushed Bella to the emergency room, where an X-ray confirmed the unfortunate reality: Bella had swallowed two of the magnets.
Medical professionals revealed that the magnets posed a severe risk due to their nature. When attracted to each other inside Bella’s body, they caused significant damage, tearing through her appendix and bowel. “It’s very serious,” said Bignell, recalling the moment the doctors explained the situation to her. She was devastated to learn that Bella would need both her appendix and part of her bowel removed as a result of the incident.
The gravity of the situation was compounded by the doctors’ warnings regarding the potential life-threatening consequences of swallowing magnets. “They told me it can cause death,” Bignell shared, visibly shaken by the experience. “Hearing that was terrifying, and I broke down.”
Bignell is now sharing her daughter’s experience in hopes of warning other parents about the dangers of small, magnetised toys, especially those marketed towards children with special needs. She highlighted the risks faced by non-verbal children, who may not be able to communicate if they have swallowed such items. “If you have non-verbal children, you’re not going to know,” Bignell cautioned. She contrasted Bella’s situation with that of her younger son, who, at just two years old, would not be able to express if he ingested something dangerous.
The accessibility of these small fidget toys, particularly those containing magnets, has become a growing concern. Bignell pointed out that there was no warning on the packaging, noting that the toys come in a clear bag, obscuring potential hazards. She voiced her frustration, stating, “It’s crazy how many children have these things. I’m not buying her magnets ever again.”
With the significant health risks associated with magnetic toys now highlighted by her daughter’s unfortunate incident, Bignell urges other families to avoid such items. Her hope is that by sharing Bella’s story, she can prevent similar incidents from occurring in other homes and raise awareness about the potential dangers of seemingly innocent toys.