Mum of boy, 3, ‘thrown into crocodile enclosure’ shares devastating reality they are now facing
Seven surgeries later, and the little boy allegedly thrown 15ft into a crocodile enclosure could soon return home, but a long road to recovery still awaits.
The three-year-old had his seventh operation in four weeks at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge on Wednesday (15 July), as surgeons took a nerve from his leg to replace part of a missing nerve in his left arm.
It won't be clear for months if the nerve graft has been successful until tests can be carried out, with his parents hoping the nerve will 'embed and help our son to regain some function in his left hand'.
In an update on a GoFundMe set up to support the family in the wake of a 30-year-old man from Norfolk allegedly throwing the 'cheeky little boy' into a crocodile enclosure at Johnson's Zoo on 18 June, the mother revealed she is 'amazed' at her son's recovery.
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However, she made it clear that the family's life has now changed forever.
"We are not at the end of our journey but are hopeful that today’s surgery will be the last for now which means if everything goes well we will be able to go home soon," the statement said.
"Once home, we face new challenges shaped by his recovery and rehabilitation physically and psychologically. Both of us are taking time off work temporarily to support our son during his rehabilitation.
"We don’t know what recovery and rehabilitation looks like at this moment in time but we know our son needs us more than ever.
"Thank you again for all your well wishes and support during this difficult time. We are forever grateful that you have all helped us to stay by our son’s side every step of the way."
'Surgeons performed miraculous things'
The boy suffered serious injuries from the fall and is believed to have been attacked by at least one crocodile before zoo staff leapt in to save him.
He was rushed to hospital where he immediately underwent his first surgery to fix a multitude of injuries. The parents had prepared for the worst.
"Tomorrow [July 16] marks 4 weeks of being in the hospital. Shortly after we arrived on the 18th of June, our son underwent a 12 hour surgery where the surgeons performed miraculous things," the statement added.
"They were faced with tendon damage, nerve damage, blood vessel damage, broken bones and severe tissue damage in both his arms, neck, head and face.
"Those were the worst 12 hours of our lives as before that we were signing consent forms involving resuscitation and amputation.
"We were unsure if our son was going to make it and that was the worst feeling in the world. 4 weeks later, the cheeky little boy that we love so much is talking to the nurses, playing using his feet and smiling again. We are amazed at how far he has come. "
The 30-year-old man - who reportedly did not know the child - was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and later bailed. Police said he was 'not fit for interview'. It's understood that the man has learning disabilities and was out with carers.
An enquiry has been launched into the care he received, under Section 42 of the Care Act 2014.
These probes are carried out when a council believes that an adult in its area has care and support needs, is experiencing or is at risk of abuse or neglect, and is unable to protect themselves due to those needs.
At the time of writing, the GoFundMe campaign has raised over £75,000.
Daniel Murphy