Any parent will tell you—once a child enters your life, protecting them becomes your first, second, third, fourth, and fifth priority.
From the moment we first hold them in our arms, a deep, unshakable instinct kicks in. We childproof our homes, scrutinize their food, and stay up at night worrying about every bump and fever. Not because we’re told to—but because we can’t imagine doing anything less.
The mere thought of our children getting hurt is enough to make our hearts race. And so, we do everything in our power to shield them from the world’s dangers.
But sometimes, despite our best efforts, the world finds a way to remind us how fragile safety can be. Accidents happen—suddenly, and without warning—even when we’ve done everything “right.”
Most parents dread the moment when something happens beyond their control—especially an accident or unexpected ordeal that no one could have predicted.
Jackie Fedro knows this fear all too well. Though her daughter’s frightening experience happened back in 2016, it remains a powerful story that deserves to be told today.
That year, Jackie decided it was time to give her then-13-year-old daughter, Gabbie, her very first cellphone. For Christmas, Gabbie received an LG D500.
“One of the main reasons we finally gave in and got her a cell phone was so we could stay in touch during her hectic practice schedule,” Jackie shared with BuzzFeed.
But what happened next was a nightmare none of them could have ever imagined. One afternoon, as Gabbie was using her phone in her room, Jackie suddenly heard a piercing scream.
“She came running downstairs, clutching her neck,” Jackie recalled. “She was in so much pain, screaming hysterically.”
“As a mother, it’s the absolute worst feeling in the world—to watch your child suffer like that and not know how to help. It took her a full five minutes before she could even explain what had happened.”
Gabbie finally told her mom she’d been using her phone while it was plugged in to charge. Suddenly, she’d been shocked—the electric current traveling through the charger, into the phone, and then through her metal necklace, leaving a horrific burn on her neck.
Jackie shared with BuzzFeed, “She suffered painful second-degree burns and will now carry a scar all the way around her neck.”
Reflecting on the frightening experience, Jackie stressed the importance of raising awareness among parents about hidden dangers many don’t realize exist.
“With so many kids using phones these days, parents need to be warned about the potential harm these devices can cause,” she warned.
It’s truly terrifying to think about. Have you ever heard of anything like this happening before? I certainly hadn’t—until now.