Two-year-old Beckham Reed from Georgia is in critical condition after a horrifying accident left him stung more than 150 times by yellow jackets. While riding his electric toy car with his cousins around their family property, Beckham inadvertently disturbed a yellow jacket nest and was swarmed by the angry insects.
Initially treated at the emergency room with morphine and Benadryl, Beckham was sent home as his breathing seemed stable. However, within 24 hours his condition worsened alarmingly—his skin turned yellow, signaling serious problems. He was rushed to a hospital where doctors discovered multi-organ failure affecting his kidney, liver, and heart. Beckham was born with just one functioning kidney, making his fight especially difficult.
He was transferred to the ICU at Memorial Health in Savannah where he was placed on dialysis, a ventilator, and given life-saving intravenous medications to help his body cope with the toxic venom. There is no antivenom for yellow jacket stings, so treatment focuses on supporting his organs as they work to clear the toxins.
Beckham’s parents, Peyton and Mariah, are by his side, facing the long and slow recovery ahead. The family’s GoFundMe fundraiser has received outpourings of support and donations as they pray for Beckham’s healing and strength.
