Community Corner

PHOTOS: New Nose Revealed for Girl Attacked by Raccoon

Beaumont Hospital held a press conference Wednesday with 10-year-old Charlotte Ponce, who showed off progress on her new nose. The doctor who performed the surgery says it's the first step for the Spring Lake, Mich. girl in having her face reconstructed.

"What you see here is not a finished nose," said , of Beaumont's Craniofacial Clinic at at press conference at  on Wednesday. Chaiyasate completed the first stage of reconstruction of the inside, or the structure, of 10-year-old Charlotte Ponce's nose.

Chaiyasate and his surgical team took tissue with a blood supply from Charlotte’s forearm to create a lining for her nose. In about two months, she’ll return for a second procedure. The surgical team will take tissue from her forehead to create the exterior of her nose.

Patient was disfigured by raccoon

The Spring Lake, Mich. when she was was 3 and a half months, after her birth mother laid her down for a nap with a bottle and then left her unattended.

Find out what's happening in Ferndalewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"It was a hot day - 90 degrees outside," said Tim Ponce, Charlotte's adoptive father. "The raccoon was a pet and was probably looking for a place to cool off. Somehow the raccoon got inside her room and ate her ear, nose, and the side of her face. She probably had milk on her face and you know how animals are."

The time is right

Chaiyasate said the time is right for Charlotte to have facial reconstruction, before she reaches puberty. "You know how middle school kids are," he said. 

Find out what's happening in Ferndalewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The young girl will most likely need additional surgery in adulthood, but for now, at 10, her mid-face has stopped growing. Just her jaw will continue to grow, Chaiyasate said.

Over the next two years, the surgical team lead by Chaiyasate, will reconstruct her nose, lip and ear.

Come back to see more photos and videos as they are uploaded for this story on Royal Oak Patch.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Ferndale