2-Year-Old Found With Octopus Stuck in Throat

Mom's boyfriend is arrested
By Michael Harthorne,  Newser Staff
Posted Apr 7, 2016 4:28 PM CDT
Updated Apr 8, 2016 1:30 AM CDT
2-Year-Old Found With Octopus Stuck in Throat
Matthew Gallagher   (Sedgwick County Jail)

Doctors must have been shocked when they pulled a small octopus from the throat of a 2-year-old boy who arrived at the hospital not breathing. The boy's 21-year-old mother arrived home from work Tuesday night to find her 36-year-old boyfriend, Matthew Gallagher, giving CPR to her son, according to KSNW. The boy was rushed to a hospital in Wichita, Kansas, where doctors removed the octopus from his throat. The AP reports the octopus's head was about 2 inches across. It was likely meant to be used in sushi.

The boy, who also showed evidence of facial injuries, was upgraded from critical to good condition on Wednesday. The Wichita Eagle reports he's showing no signs of permanent damage from oxygen deprivation. Gallagher was arrested on suspicion of child abuse when his explanation for the octopus and facial injuries didn't match up with what doctors observed. An expert will interview the boy when he's ready, and an investigation into the incident is continuing. Police say it's a "very delicate situation." (More child abuse stories.)

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