VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — There's something in the water at Sandbridge Beach responsible for biting four people since last week.
Ten-year-old Vivienne Butler says she was at the beach with her family Thursday morning when something in the water bit her foot.
“I was trying to keep calm because it’s probably the best thing to do but I was pretty scared," she said.
She was near the shore, playing in the waves with her twin sister Autumn when it happened.
“I was just shocked and so was scared for her," Autumn said. "I was more scared than her!”
The twin's mother, Arryn Van Slyke gave 13News Now photos of her daughter’s injury.
Although officials won’t say what marine life is responsible for the attack on Vivienne's foot, her family says a medic in the ambulance told them a baby shark may have bitten her.
“When we were in the ambulance… I hadn’t really thought about what it was that bit her but that’s when he said, ‘Oh, it looks like it’s a baby shark bite.’ I was completely in shock, that hadn’t crossed my mind," Van Slyke said. “She said it let go right away but it hurt really bad... They weren’t that deep [in the water] just right past where the wave crashes in right on the beach."
Van Slyke says neither of her children saw the animal that bit Vivienne.
She said the foot required eight stitches. Vivienne's foot is still wrapped in gauze and will take a couple of weeks to heal.
“It feels fine," she said. "I can kind of walk but I just put most of my pressure on my heel.”
The bite happened around 9:30 a.m. at Sandbridge Beach.
According to Virginia Beach EMS, Vivienne is one of four people within the past week that officials say were bitten by “marine life.” First responders treated them all for minor injuries.
While two of them left on their own, Vivienne and another person got treated at the hospital.
Virginia Beach EMS Brigade Chief Cat Watson said the bites happened at different times between last Thursday and this past Sunday. Officials cannot say exactly what bit the swimmers.
“I’m fine with going back in the water as long as I can actually see my feet," Vivienne said.
Officials are now reminding people to stay alert because the ocean is home to a lot of wildlife. If you are bitten or attacked by an animal while in the ocean, call 911 and try to find a lifeguard.