A carefree day turned harrowing for the nanny and the parents of a young toddler last week.
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Grayson Cohen and his nanny were on a playdate at Wayland Town Beach in Massachusetts when the 1-year-old encountered a raccoon, which then bit him.
What Happened to the Toddler?
As reported by PEOPLE, the nanny reported the raccoon was seen at the top of a jungle gym. Then, it charged at Grayson. Immediately after, the nanny brought Grayson home to his father, Spencer, who was working there.
The father said that his son was "pretty severely bit by this raccoon." He quickly brought Grayson to an area hospital for treatment.
Grayson's mother, Megan, revealed that her son had a bite mark across his rib cage. There were also some visible scratch marks on his body.
Spencer said, "When you have to watch someone you love go through something like this, especially your child, it's really brutal."
The Wayland Police Department shared that Grayson "received appropriate medical treatment" at the hospital. He is reportedly recovering at home and has received the first of a four-dose rabies vaccine.
"I think, thankfully, we're more traumatized than he is by the situation," Spencer said.
Has the Raccoon Been Found?
As of Sunday, May 24, the raccoon that attacked Grayson has not been found. Police shared that they "will continue to check the area over the next several days" for the animal.
Authorities advised people not to feed any wildlife. They also added to keep children and pets away from wild animals. The public should keep a safe distance from any animal exhibiting abnormal behavior. This includes being disoriented, aggressive, or active during daylight hours.
The Wayland Police Department said that anyone who encounters the raccoon that attacked Grayson or observes suspicious wildlife behavior should contact them at 508-358-4721.
This report comes months after British grandmother Yvonne Ford died from rabies at the age of 59. She was "lightly scratched" by a stray puppy while vacationing in Morocco last year. Ford then became ill several months later and died in June.
According to her daughter, Ford only learned of her diagnosis days before her death.
