12-year-old girl survives frightening run-in with rattlesnake

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DAWSON COUNTY, Ga. — A 12-year-old girl was bitten in the foot by a rattlesnake twice while playing near a creek in Dawson County.

Cecelia Gonzalez said she was playing at her friend’s house Saturday afternoon when she slipped, fell and slid toward the water where a timber rattlesnake bit her on the foot twice.

Gonzalez told Channel 2's Matt Johnson that she was freaking out because she never thought she'd be bitten by a snake.

Timber Rattlesnake 

Firefighters and emergency responders airlifted the girl to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta for immediate treatment with antivenin.

She spent three days in the hospital.

Some kids would want to never think about this again, but Gonzalez says she's keeping the snake in her freezer before she mounts it on her wall as a reminder to stay alert.

"Everyone's like, 'Keep calm, keep calm,' and I'm like, 'I can't keep calm,'" said Gonzalez. "I started to swell and it went up my leg and everything started swelling because I had an allergic reaction to the venom."

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Gonzalez's friend Peyton Gillian said, "I feel like if we delayed it a couple minutes, I feel like it could have been so much worse."

The wounds and medical markings on Gonzalez's skin are temporary, but she says mounting the snake on her wall at home will be a permanent reminder to stay safe.

Gonzalez leg.

"Just probably thinking about it and just remember my first snake bite and make sure I watch out now," she said.

It'll also be a reminder to wear covered shoes when she goes outdoors.

Gonzalez hopes to be playing softball and be active again by next month.

If you would like to help the family with Gonzalez's medical bills donate HERE.