WAYLAND, Massachusetts — One moment, a 2-year-old boy was climbing the steps of a jungle gym. The next, a raccoon had lunged from behind the structure and bitten him.
It happened Friday afternoon at Wayland Town Beach — a spot where families go to let their kids play and feel safe.
“It happened so fast,” said Spencer Cohen, Grayson’s father. “She didn’t even know he was bitten until she got him in the car seat.”
A Normal Afternoon Turned Into a Medical Emergency
Grayson was at the playground with his nanny when the raccoon attacked without warning.
The nanny rushed him home. When Spencer Cohen saw the injury, he immediately took Grayson to Newton-Wellesley Hospital.
“I got a text saying he had an ‘encounter’ with a raccoon,” Spencer Cohen said. “I didn’t know what that meant — until I saw how significantly he had been bitten.”
Grayson suffered a deep bite and scratches across his rib cage. He needed three stitches and began a series of rabies vaccinations the same day.
His mother, Megan Cohen, said the injuries were far more serious than she had imagined.
“I kind of imagined maybe a small scratch,” she said. “But when I saw that he had a bite on his rib cage, and scratches, it looked a lot worse than I expected.”
‘We’re More Traumatized Than He Was’
For Grayson’s parents, the experience has been hard to shake.
Watching a 2-year-old go through stitches and multiple rounds of rabies shots is not something any parent is prepared for.
“These are things you just never hope your 2-year-old needs to go through,” Megan Cohen said.
Through it all, Grayson handled it better than anyone expected.
“He was such a trooper,” his mother said. “Now he’s running around — you wouldn’t even know he has stitches.”
Raccoon Not Found — Police Issue Public Warning
Wayland Police searched the area but have not been able to locate the raccoon involved in the attack.
Officers issued a public safety notice urging families to use caution around wildlife, particularly animals that seem unusually active or aggressive.
Raccoons are nocturnal animals. Spotting one during the day — especially one that is acting aggressively or appears disoriented — is a red flag.
Police are reminding the public to avoid approaching or feeding wildlife, keep children and pets at a safe distance, stay alert for animals acting strangely, and seek medical attention immediately after any bite or scratch.
Anyone who spots a raccoon or other wildlife behaving unusually is asked to contact Wayland Police right away.
‘You Could Encounter Them All Over’
What shook Grayson’s parents most was not just what happened — it was where it happened.
“Wayland is a very wooded community, and we have wild animals in the area,” Megan Cohen said. “But you could encounter raccoons all over the city.”
Their message to other parents is straightforward: stay aware of your surroundings, even in places that feel completely safe.
What to Do If a Wild Animal Bites Your Child
Rabies treatment works best when started immediately. It typically involves a series of shots given over several days.
Grayson received his first dose the day of the attack and is continuing treatment.
If a wild animal bites or scratches your child, do not wait. Go to the nearest emergency room immediately.
Grayson’s family is sharing their story hoping it saves another family from going through the same thing. A regular afternoon at the playground should never end in a hospital — but knowing what to watch for could make all the difference.
Have you or someone you know had a scary wildlife encounter near a park or playground? Share what happened in the comments — it could help another parent stay safe.
