3-Year-Old Boy Gets Stuck Inside Claw Machine Weeks After Another Toddler Rescue

Patrick Campbell crawled inside the game at the Soccer Dome at Vetta Sports in Missouri, just weeks after a similar incident involving 2-year-old Cooper King.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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A 3-year-old boy named Patrick Campbell got stuck inside a claw machine at the Soccer Dome at Vetta Sports in Missouri. This incident came just weeks after another child, 2-year-old Cooper King, had to be rescued from the same machine. Patrick's father, Ryan, was watching his older daughter's soccer game when he discovered Patrick had crawled inside the arcade game. The Webster Groves firefighters have reportedly prepared a toolkit in case another child gets stuck in the machine.

Why it matters

Incidents of young children getting stuck inside claw machines have raised concerns about the safety and accessibility of these arcade games, especially in family-friendly recreational centers. The repeated nature of these events at the same location suggests a need for improved safety measures and oversight to prevent future occurrences and ensure the well-being of young visitors.

The details

According to reports, 3-year-old Patrick Campbell managed to crawl inside the claw machine while his father, Ryan, was watching his older sister's soccer game at the Soccer Dome at Vetta Sports in Webster Groves, Missouri. Patrick's mother, Katie, said he was unfazed and even posed for a picture while stuck inside the machine filled with colorful balls. The tot was eventually able to get out after his dad convinced him to crawl back out.

  • On March 5, 2026, 3-year-old Patrick Campbell got stuck inside a claw machine at the Soccer Dome at Vetta Sports in Missouri.
  • Weeks prior to this incident, 2-year-old Cooper King had to be rescued from the same claw machine at the Soccer Dome.

The players

Patrick Campbell

A 3-year-old boy who got stuck inside a claw machine at the Soccer Dome at Vetta Sports in Missouri.

Ryan Campbell

The father of Patrick Campbell, who was watching his older daughter's soccer game when he discovered Patrick had crawled inside the claw machine.

Katie Campbell

The mother of Patrick Campbell, who said her son was unfazed and even posed for a picture while stuck inside the claw machine.

Cooper King

A 2-year-old child who had to be rescued from the same claw machine at the Soccer Dome weeks prior to Patrick Campbell's incident.

Webster Groves Firefighters

The firefighters who have reportedly prepared a toolkit in case another child gets stuck in the claw machine at the Soccer Dome.

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What they’re saying

“Patrick's reaction...like someone took a picture of him and he's like immediately just said 'cheeeeese,' and posed for the camera, like unfazed he was stuck in a machine.”

— Katie Campbell, Mother of Patrick Campbell (WBALTV11)

“I knew Patrick was going to get stuck in there.”

— Patrick Campbell's sister (First Alert 4)

“He's laughing, throwing balls everywhere. We were like, 'Cooper, try and go back down.' And he was shaking his head.”

— Cooper King's mother (First Alert 4)

What’s next

The Webster Groves firefighters have reportedly prepared a toolkit in case another child gets stuck in the claw machine at the Soccer Dome.

The takeaway

These repeated incidents of young children getting stuck inside claw machines highlight the need for improved safety measures and oversight at family-friendly recreational centers to prevent future occurrences and ensure the well-being of young visitors.