This story has travelled like wildfire through the medical community. Doctors ABC7 spoke with on Friday were incensed that a potentially dangerous toxin would be injected into an 8-year-old, let alone by her mother. Physicians say the FDA prohibits injecting Botox into anyone under 18.
"It hurts and I get used to it," said 8-year-old Britney Campbell.
Britney says she has gotten used to Botox injections to remove wrinkles, so she can look pretty for beauty pageants.
"I just like don't think wrinkles are nice on little girls," said Britney.
Her mother Kerry is an esthetician who doctors say should not be administering any medical procedure.
"Like I said, I do the Botox myself. It's safe," said Kerry.
"There is nothing in the esthetician where they have been trained to do this. Botox is a medication. It is a medication approved by the FDA. It should only be administered by a physician or under the direct supervision of a physician," said Issac Neuhaus, M.D., an assistant professor and surgical dermatologist at UCSF.
Neuhaus said Botox for an 8-year-old is anything but safe. Using it for wrinkles is dangerous.
"She could have been very sick. She could have had trouble breathing. She could have had trouble with permanent issues with her movement," said Neuhaus.
On Thursday, ABC's Good Morning America interviewed Kerry, who admitted to giving Britney the Botox injections. Where she obtained the Botox is still unknown. The only legal way to obtain it is from the manufacturer. On RealSelf.com dozens of doctors across the country advise to stay away from online Botox. It's illegal to buy for anyone except a license medical professional.
"If any physician gave her that Botox, they ought to lose their medical license," said Neuhaus.
Paula Silva, a former Miss Oakland, is executive director of the Miss California Princess Program. She teaches little girls values and says that's what Kerry should be learning instead of going to beauty pageants.
"Our motivation is to groom these girls to be productive, functional women in society," said Silva.
"I am sorry to say that she is only doing a disservice to her daughter," said pageant coach Valerie Hayes.
The San Francisco's Human Services Agency has launched an investigation into the issue. Child welfare services has to decide if what Kerry Campbell did could be considered child abuse.
