A three-year-old girl from Santa Clarita, California, was hospitalised in intensive care earlier this month after a rattlesnake bit her as she attempted to collect an Amazon delivery. The incident occurred on 13 July when young Addy went with her mother to pick up a package that had been left over the gate to their home, north of Los Angeles.
According to her father, Manny Barajas, a Southern Pacific rattlesnake was concealed beneath the brown padded envelope and bit Addy on her left hand. Her mother, Lynn, swiftly drove the child to meet first responders in a nearby grocery store car park. From there, Addy was transported to a hospital where she received an initial dose of anti-venom. She was subsequently transferred to another facility equipped with a paediatric intensive care unit, where two more doses were administered.
Mr Barajas confirmed that the treatment has been successful. Speaking to local media, he stated, "She's doing great now. She's still bruised on her left hand where she was bitten. Her spirits are high, her demeanour is great, but she keeps asking why she was bitten by a snake."
This distressing incident comes amidst a notable increase in rattlesnake bites across California this year. Reports suggest that heatwaves experienced since March have led to heightened snake activity. The California Poison Control System has recorded 277 bites so far in 2026, a figure that is nearly equivalent to the total number typically reported over an entire year. Tragically, three fatalities have been attributed to rattlesnake bites in the state this year, which is two more than the usual annual average.
Rattlesnakes generally prefer to avoid human contact but are known to bite when they feel threatened, cornered, or surprised. While authorities such as California poison control and the Los Angeles County Fire Department have not yet provided further comment on the specific incident, the broader trend highlights an elevated risk in the region for residents.