Boy on a soccer team named Venom recovers from a snakebite

Doctors at Children’s Mercy Hospital huddled around 10-year-old Carlton Epps.

They examined puncture wounds near his wrist and confirmed a snake had bitten him Sunday. They began administering the first of what would include at least eight vials of intravenous anti-venom treatment.

It took a while before a staff member noticed the name on Carlton’s team jersey: Venom.

“I love it,” said Jennifer Lowry, physician and Children’s Mercy medical toxicology section chief. “I told him I wanted a shirt I can wear around here.”

A copperhead bit Carlton, a member of the Venom traveling youth soccer team of Springfield, Mo., between matches at Swope Soccer Village at Swope Park. An ambulance delivered Carlton to Children’s Mercy. On Tuesday, before leaving for their home near Branson, Carlton and his parents relived the experience, praised the hospital staff and noted the importance of being prepared for emergencies involving young athletes on sports road trips.

Carlton and his teammates have been playing together about four years, said his mother, Deanna Epps. They have played under the name Venom for the past year. The team lost its first game. While waiting to play again, Carlton and his teammates kicked soccer balls near the parking lot.

Then Carlton fell and felt the sting.

“I looked at his hand, and I knew it was a serious bite,” said father Frank Epps.

“Carlton said, ‘Dad, be honest with me. Was the snake poisonous, and am I going to play?’”

Answers: yes and no.

While Venom prevailed in game two, doctors at Children’s Mercy battled the copperhead venom.

The hospital treats about 10 snakebites every year, Lowry said. Of the venomous snakes seen in the Kansas City area, copperheads are the least venomous, she added. Although Carlton was uncomfortable during his first hours of treatment, with swelling in his right hand and arm, he responded well to the anti-venom treatment.

Meanwhile, Venom — the team — is due back in the Kansas City area this weekend for more Heartland Soccer Association league play, this time at Heritage Soccer Park in Olathe.

Carlton’s status? His parents will decide Friday night.

But after this adventure, is he at least Venom’s team captain?

“We don’t have team captains,” Carlton said.

This story was originally published September 23, 2014 at 4:04 PM with the headline "Boy on a soccer team named Venom recovers from a snakebite."