Florida toddler injured by lawnmover, Ireland Nugent, will endure more surgeries
The little girl whose legs were severed by a lawn mower has suffered a setback as she recovers from her injuries.
Doctors discovered that a skin graft on Ireland Nugent’s right leg was not successful, leading to a surgery on Tuesday.
Family spokesman Dennis Reid, pastor of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Clearwater confirmed to the press that the 2-year-old faces two more surgeries to further cleanse the leg and do a second skin graft.
Last week, Ireland had her breathing tube removed and began to interact with family members. She left the intensive care unit over the weekend.
Doctors discovered the infection Tuesday while “shrink-wrapping” the remains of Ireland’s legs, molding and tightening the tips of her legs in preparation for prosthetic devices.
Reid said the need for further surgeries is a “minor setback,” but has deflated the Nugents’ hope of bringing Ireland home this week.
The little girl was injured April 11 when she ran after her father, Jerry Nugent, as he rode a lawn mower up the driveway at their Palm Harbor home. Her mother, Nicole Nugent, frantically motioned for him to stop, but he misunderstood, put the lawn mower in reverse and backed over the child.
Her legs were severed below the knees and she had cuts to her hand. She also broke her thumb.
The child was flown to Tampa General Hospital, where she endured four surgeries.