Two-year-old Abigail Akers in an Edmonton hospital receiving medical care

By Teagan Rasche

Local toddler in hospital after button battery burns a hole in her throat

May 27, 2021 | 11:06 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – What started as a cough for two-year-old Abigail turned into her parents’ nightmare.

Sheldon and Victoria Akers took their daughter to the hospital on May 3 when the happy-go-lucky toddler wasn’t being her normal self.

The Akers were initially told she had croup and sent her home. They went back and forth to doctors for weeks and when Abigail never seemed to get better.

Photos courtesy of the Akers family

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Eventually, an X-ray found a button battery in Abigail’s throat.

“When it had lodged itself there it burned a hole between her esophagus and her trachea causing about a centimetre and a half hole between the two pathways,” Sheldon said.

Abigail was flown by air ambulance to the University of Alberta Hospital and taken to the operating room where doctors removed the battery.

Sheldon and Victoria say Abigail is doing better and doctors will do a test in about a week to see if her throat is healing.

Sheldon says he has no idea where his daughter got the battery. He says he always disposes of them properly, as he knows the danger they pose to children and pets.

Photos courtesy of the Akers family

For other parents who might feel something isn’t right with their children, Sheldon offers some advice.

“Be vigilant and advocate for your children,” Sheldon said. “If you feel something’s not right, keep going back, keep asking for second opinions, keep pursuing things.”

A Go Fund Me page has been set up for the Akers family.

The link can be found here.