Maggots found in KFC chicken send child to hospital

WEST HELENA, Ark. — Police in Helena-West Helena, Arkansas, released disturbing video after a child went to the hospital for food poisoning after eating at an area KFC restaurant.

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A citizen contacted police through the department's Facebook page and shared video of the chicken they say they got at the Kentucky Fried Chicken at 789 Sebastian in West Helena, Arkansas.

The video shows maggots crawling all over pieces of fried chicken.

The woman told police she went to the restaurant on Oct. 2 and that her son became ill after eating the food. She said she took the 5-year-old to the emergency room, where he began gagging and throwing up.

She told police she contacted the KFC manager, but that no one had called her back.

In a post Tuesday on social media, KFC denied that the chicken came from one of its restaurants.

"Our chicken is cooked to 165 (degrees Fahrenheit) or higher and hot-held at above 140 (degrees Fahrenheit)," the company wrote. "We are confident this did not occur inside our restaurant."

Helena-West Helena police said this is not a criminal matter, but the department chose to release the video to make the public aware.

Cox Media Group