Second Toddler Climbs Into Missouri Claw Machine

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A 3-year-old boy named Patrick Campbell recently climbed into a claw machine at a Missouri sports complex, echoing a similar incident in early February when another toddler named Cooper got stuck in the same machine. Firefighters have now assembled a dedicated kit in case they're called to rescue more young adventurers from the claw game.

Why it matters

Claw machines, while meant for entertainment, can pose a serious safety risk for young children who may see them as an opportunity for play. The repeated incidents at this Missouri sports complex highlight the need for better supervision and safety measures around these types of arcade games.

The details

In the latest incident, Patrick Campbell slipped away from his father while his sister was playing soccer at Vetta Sports' Soccerdome in Webster Groves. When asked why he climbed into the claw machine, Patrick simply said "I get ball." His father was able to coax him to crawl back out on his own. The earlier incident in February involved a toddler named Cooper, who also got stuck in the same claw machine while his mother watched his sibling's game.

• In early February 2026, a toddler named Cooper got stuck in the claw machine at Vetta Sports' Soccerdome.
• On March 6, 2026, 3-year-old Patrick Campbell climbed into the same claw machine at the Soccerdome.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Local firefighters have assembled a dedicated tool kit in case they are called to rescue more children from the claw machine at the Soccerdome.