Toddler hospitalized for months after leg cut off at daycare, family says

QUINCY, Wash. (Gray News) – A 2-year-old child is still in the hospital after his leg was cut by a lawn mower at a daycare nearly two months ago, according to family.

A report from KING identified the child as Mateo Pacheco Elliott, who has been hospitalized in Seattle since the June 24 injury.

Close family friend Angela Axelson has started a GoFundMe page to help pay for Mateo’s ongoing medical costs.

Axelson spoke to KING, explaining exactly what happened that day at the preschool in Quincy, Washington.

Axelson said the daycare owner was the person driving the lawnmower when Mateo was seriously injured.

“Two-year-old Mateo wanted to talk to her and ran to the lawnmower, slipped and fell. He went down and his right leg was amputated,” Axelson told KING.

According to GoFundMe, Mateo’s leg was amputated and he suffered other serious leg injuries that required additional surgery.

The Quincy Police Department investigated but found insufficient evidence for criminal charges.

“Yes, accidents can happen, but when you pay people to look after your children. You should trust the provider to take care of them and not seriously hurt them,” Axelson told KING.

However, according to the KING report, the state Department of Children, Youth and Families has suspended the daycare’s license and is still investigating.

The GoFundMe page has provided numerous updates, most recently saying that Mateo has had the device removed, but is still battling a host of health issues.

“Please keep praying,” his family wrote.

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