X
theAsianparent Philippines Logo
theAsianparent Philippines Logo
EnglishFilipino
Product GuideSign in
  • Building a BakuNation
  • Becoming a Parent
    • Trying to Conceive
    • Pregnancy
    • Delivery
    • Losing a Baby
    • Project Sidekicks
  • Ages & Stages
    • Baby
    • Toddler Years
    • Preschool Age
    • Kids
    • Preteen & Teen
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • News
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Health & Wellness
    • Diseases & Injuries
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
  • Education
    • Preschool
    • K-12
    • Special Education Needs
  • Lifestyle Section
    • Celebrities
    • Contests & Promotions
    • Home
    • Travel and Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Fitness
    • Wellness
    • Money
  • Become a VIP
  • COVID-19
  • Press Room
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping
  • Awards
    • Parents' Choice Awards 2023

Toddler wounded in flash grenade explosion during a botched drug raid

1 Mar, 2016
Toddler wounded in flash grenade explosion during a botched drug raid

The explosion hit Bounkham “Bou Bou” Phonesavanh straight on the face, injuring him with severe burns and lacerations on his face and chest.

It was like a scene taken out of a Hollywood film, armed officers busting into a harmless-looking house in an attempt to apprehend a narcotics kingpin. And just like in the movies, they don’t find what they’re looking for.

What they found instead was an innocent family. At that point it had been too late: finding the front door blocked, the officers had thrown a flash grenade through the window.

It had landed on a toddler’s playpen and exploded. The explosion hit Bounkham “Bou Bou” Phonesavanh straight on the face, injuring him with severe burns and lacerations on his face and chest.

READ: E-cigarette blows up in teenager’s face

Baby Bou Bou spent weeks in the burn unit in a medically induced coma because the pain was simply too much for him to bear.

The raid began when Nikki Autry, former Habersham County Deputy Sheriff, lead a team of special agents in “an attempt to make undercover narcotic buys.”

Her misinformation claimed that a “reliable informant” had bought methamphetamine at a house, and that there was “heavy traffic in and out of the residence.” This prompted the judge to issue a “no knock” search warrant.

READ: Young dad dies after aromatherapy diffuser explodes

The suspect in the raid was not in the Phonesavanh family’s house, and was later arrested at a nearby residence and charged with distribution of methamphetamine.

Habersham County Sherriff Joey Terrell said that if they were aware children were inside the residence, the operation would have been handled differently.

Meanwhile Acting U.S. Attorney John Horn said, “Without Autry’s false statements, there was no probable cause to search the premises for drugs or to make arrests. The consequences of the unlawful search were tragic.”

“We have worked diligently with our counsel to obtain the best possible result for Baby Bou Bou and his family,” said Mawuli Mel Davis, the Phonesavanhs lawyer.

“What we have achieved will not fix what has happened or take away the nightmares, but we hope it helps them move forward as a family.”

A federal judge has approved settlements of $3.6 million to the parents of Baby Bou Bou.

@Mainewatching Bounkham “Bou Bou” is still a Beautiful baby Boy<3 pic.twitter.com/LkK2paAQMG

— Mainewatching (@Mainewatching) January 20, 2015

If you have any insights, questions or comments regarding the topic, please share them in our Comment box below. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Google+ to stay up-to-date on the latest from theAsianparent.com Philippines!

Partner Stories
This Mommy Welfare Month, Absolute Gives Back The Love to Moms #SelfLoveIsBabyLove
This Mommy Welfare Month, Absolute Gives Back The Love to Moms #SelfLoveIsBabyLove
3 Amazing Possible Stories that will leave you smiling, crying, and inspired
3 Amazing Possible Stories that will leave you smiling, crying, and inspired
Motherhood away from home
Motherhood away from home
Bathing is bonding with Cetaphil Baby
Bathing is bonding with Cetaphil Baby

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

James Martinez

Become a Contributor

  • Home
  • /
  • News
  • /
  • Toddler wounded in flash grenade explosion during a botched drug raid
Share:
  • REAL STORIES: "My dyslexic husband graduated after almost twenty years"

    REAL STORIES: "My dyslexic husband graduated after almost twenty years"

  • 2-days monthly menstrual leave filed by women’s party-list in the House

    2-days monthly menstrual leave filed by women’s party-list in the House

  • ‘I was meant to have you’: Pregnant Singaporean mum, 29, delays cancer treatment for sake of unborn baby

    ‘I was meant to have you’: Pregnant Singaporean mum, 29, delays cancer treatment for sake of unborn baby

  • REAL STORIES: "My dyslexic husband graduated after almost twenty years"

    REAL STORIES: "My dyslexic husband graduated after almost twenty years"

  • 2-days monthly menstrual leave filed by women’s party-list in the House

    2-days monthly menstrual leave filed by women’s party-list in the House

  • ‘I was meant to have you’: Pregnant Singaporean mum, 29, delays cancer treatment for sake of unborn baby

    ‘I was meant to have you’: Pregnant Singaporean mum, 29, delays cancer treatment for sake of unborn baby

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Baby Names
    • Delivery
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • Advice for Parenting Kids
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Lifestyle Section
    • Local celebs
    • Celebrities
    • Money
    • News
  • FAMILY & HOME
    • Couples
    • Weekend & Holiday Guide
    • Health
  • Building a BakuNation
    • More
      • TAP Community
      • Advertise With Us
      • Contact Us
      • Become a Contributor


    • Singapore flag Singapore
    • Thailand flag Thailand
    • Indonesia flag Indonesia
    • Philippines flag Philippines
    • Malaysia flag Malaysia
    • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
    • India flag India
    • Vietnam flag Vietnam
    • Australia flag Australia
    • Japan flag Japan
    • Nigeria flag Nigeria
    • Kenya flag Kenya
    © Copyright theAsianparent 2023. All rights reserved
    About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
    • Tools
    • Articles
    • Feed
    • Poll

    We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

    We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

    theAsianparent heart icon
    Nais naming magpadala ng notification sa'yo tungkol sa latest news at lifestyle update.