Mother ‘let venomous fire ants bite her twin baby boys until they were horrifically injured’
A mother let fire ants bite her two twin baby sons so badly the youngsters suffered horrific swelling to their faces and bodies, police say.
Lizabeth Ann Lander, 37, reportedly left the infants alone in Moulton, Alabama, last Wednesday.
Recalling what his deputies saw after being called out there, Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Captain Chris Waldrep said: ‘The children had swelling on their face, hands, legs, all over from multiple ant bites.
‘It appeared the children had been left unsupervised inside the house for an extended period of time.’
The youngsters were so badly bitten by the insects that both suffered allergic reactions to ‘more than 50% of their upper body,’ according to ambulance owner Greg Randolph.
That could have led to them suffering from anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction, Decatur Daily reported.
Lander was standing outside the house when police arrived, with social workers and paramedics both called out.
The youngsters were taken to a hospital in Birmingham, where they are still being treated.
Investigators found ants throughout the house, and believe that fire ants are to blame for the boys’ bites.
Donna Shanklin, from Lawrence County’s agricultural department explained: ‘During dry weather, fire ants will move indoors looking for a water source and food.
‘The fire ant is a stinging ant with venom that is fairly common in Alabama.’
Just two Americans die from ant bites each year, but Lander’s sons’ reaction to their bites suggested their health could have been in danger.
Landers has been charged with two counts of reckless endangerment.
She is currently being held in Lawrence County Jail in lieu of $12,000 bond and is due back in court on September 4.