US toddler in hospital after choking on a small octopus

A man has been arrested over child abuse allegations in the US, after a two-year-old boy was taken to Wichita hospital after a small octopus became wedged in his throat.

His 21-year-old mother reportedly returned home from work two days ago and found her boyfriend performing CPR on her son, who had a small octopus stuck in his throat, according to The Wichita Eagle.

Doctors extricated the octopus from the child’s throat which measured two inches in diameter.

Wichita police lieutenant James Espinoza said the injuries don’t show any signs of long-term injury, however the boyfriend’s explanation for how the boy swallowed the octopus and sustained minor bruises on his face was not consistent with the injuries.

The 36-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of child abuse and later released on bond.

The investigation into the incident is continuing.