An eight-year-old boy has died of a extreme allergic response after his mom alleges he was given the incorrect deal with at a Dairy Queen in Kingston.
Julia Gartland instructed International Information in a written assertion that she took her youngsters to Dairy Queen on Monday evening for a deal with.
She stated she ordered her son Liam a vegan dilly bar as a result of he’s anaphylactic to dairy, eggs and peanuts.
The vegan dilly bar is “gluten-free, dairy-free and plant-based,” based on Dairy Queen’s web site.
Gartland stated when the employee handed her the deal with, they instructed her, “Right here is your vegan dilly bar.”
“I didn’t assume to verify, I simply handed it to him,” Gartland stated. “About 5 minutes later, he’s telling me he thinks it’s dairy, and we have a look at the package deal and it was.”
Gartland stated she drove as quick as she might to seize an EpiPen and known as 911.
“They bought there however he was already struggling to breathe,” she recalled. “By the point we bought to the Kingston Centre, he flatlined.”
A second ambulance attended the scene and continued compressions, however Gartland stated her son was in cardiac arrest for 55 minutes, inflicting extreme mind harm.
Liam’s household stated goodbye after docs confirmed there had been no mind exercise for 48 hours.
GoFundMe
“They instructed us at [Kingston General Hospital] to begin saying our goodbyes, as they weren’t positive he would make the flight to CHEO [Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario],” she stated.
Liam made it to CHEO, however had a gap in his lung. When he arrived, Gartland was additionally instructed her son had COVID-19, which was placing extra pressure on his lungs.
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“His lungs had been so infected from COVID and bronchial asthma that they only couldn’t deal with it,” Gartland stated.
After 48 hours with no mind exercise, Gartland needed to say goodbye.
Gartland stated she and Liam’s father determined to donate Liam’s organs to proceed serving to others. In accordance with a GoFundMe web page arrange for the household, serving to was considered one of Liam’s favorite issues to do.
“This choice feels so deeply aligned with who Liam was,” Gartland stated on the web page. “He had the kindest coronary heart and at all times needed to assist others.”
Gartland stated docs initially instructed her Liam’s coronary heart wasn’t robust sufficient to donate, however within the working room, it began to beat, and ended up being donated to a three-year-old woman.
“Whereas our hearts are shattered, there’s consolation in realizing that Liam’s love, kindness, and generosity will proceed on by means of these kids,” Gartland stated within the GoFundMe. “His legacy will dwell on not solely in our reminiscences, however within the lives he’s serving to save. We’re so happy with our boy.”
Dairy Queen didn’t straight reply any of International Information’ questions in search of affirmation that the incident occurred or queries concerning the firm’s requirements and procedures associated to meals allergic reactions.
In a press release, a Dairy Queen spokesperson stated “our hearts are with the household and family members throughout this troublesome time,” including the corporate is involved with the shop operator who’s co-operating with authorities as they full their investigation.
“Out of respect for the household and the method, we received’t have additional remark presently,” they stated.
The Workplace of the Coroner confirmed to International Information that an investigation is underway.
© 2026 International Information, a division of Corus Leisure Inc.
