Toddler In Forward-Facing Car Seat Was ‘Internally Decapitated’ After Car Crash

Tanya Bender was left devastated after a car accident left her two-year-old granddaughter “internally decapitated” two years ago. The toddler’s skull detached from her spine after the vehicle she was traveling in with her mom struck a brick pillar and overturned in Central Point, Oregon.

Tanya has created the group Keeping Littles Safe In Car Seats on the social media platform and shares regular posts about her granddaughter Aniyah. This concerned grandmother’s effort is to help raise awareness of the risks of using forward-facing car seats for children who are too small for them.

In a heartbreaking story that has been shared multiple times, the Oregon-based grandmother posted a warning on Facebook saying:

“I want to share what happens if you go by just minimum requirements. In most States, the minimum requirement to forward face is two years old.”

She then began to share the story:

“Aniyah was two years old when she was in a car accident forward facing. Her seat was correctly installed in the car seat according to the car seat requirements and the law now. If she had been rear facing, she would have not suffered any injury at all.”

The grandmother added that Aniyah is now four years old. She also noted that the little girl is doing okay, but she wanted to share her story so others would not suffer the same problem.

Although Aniyah is now doing well, Tanya said the impact of her injuries are actually long-lasting. “She will never be able to do sports or tumbling, riding horses – or cheerleading even.”

Internal decapitation is classed as an injury characterized by complete disruption of all the ligaments between the occiput and C1.

It is quite obvious why children are most at risk for internal decapitation during car accidents compared to adults. Kids are still developing and their bodies are not yet fully balanced from head to toe. In fact, their spines and necks are much weaker than an average adult.