"It probably was a freak accident:" Pet ferrets maul newborn baby's face

PENNSYLVANIA (WITI) -- A one-month-old baby is in the ICU after 1/4 of her face was chewed off by a group of ferrets.

Police say the baby's nose, top lip and cheek area were eaten by the family's pet ferrets after they somehow escaped from their cage.

The mother had the baby girl in her car seat sitting on the floor and was upstairs when she heard the infant screaming.

The baby was taken to a hospital for surgery and is listed in stable condition.

A neighbor who says she knows the family says she doesn't know how this could happen.

"They are cautious with their pets and they watch out for their children so it probably was a freak accident," said Karen Hines, neighbor.

Investigators say the house was in deplorable condition.

Right now, police are trying to decide if the baby's parents will face any charges.

The ferrets have been put down and are being tested for rabies.