8-Year-Old Boy Dies After Receiving Wrong Treat at Dairy Queen

An 8-year-old Canadian boy died after suffering a devastating allergic reaction to a Dairy Queen treat his family says was not what they ordered.

Liam Gartland, of Kingston, Ontario, went to a local Dairy Queen with his family on May 18 when the heartbreaking incident unfolded. His mother, Julia, ordered him a vegan Dilly Bar because Liam had severe allergies to dairy, eggs and peanuts.

The family believed the frozen treat was safe. Julia said she had given Liam vegan Dilly Bars before without any problems, and she said she even confirmed with staff that the bar was vegan before giving it to her son.

But about five minutes after eating the dessert, Liam went into anaphylaxis.

Julia said she quickly checked the packaging and realized the bar allegedly contained dairy. She called 911 and drove to retrieve Liam’s epinephrine auto-injector as paramedics rushed to help.

When emergency crews arrived, Liam was struggling to breathe. He later went into cardiac arrest and suffered brain damage from a lack of oxygen, according to his mother.

Liam was first taken to Kingston General Hospital before being airlifted to the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, which has a specialized pediatric trauma unit.

The situation became even more difficult when doctors determined that Liam, who was also asthmatic, had contracted COVID-19, making it harder for him to breathe.

After 48 hours in the hospital, doctors found that Liam had no brain activity and could not breathe on his own. His family then made the heartbreaking decision to say goodbye.

Dairy Queen sells vegan Dilly Bars individually wrapped, a safety measure meant to help customers with dairy and nut allergies.

The company offered condolences to Liam’s family and said the local store is cooperating with authorities.

“We are in contact with the store operator, who is cooperating fully with authorities as they continue their investigation. Out of respect for the family and the process, we won’t have any further comment at this time,” Dairy Queen said in a statement to The Kingston Whig-Standard.

Liam is survived by his parents, Billy and Julia, his sister Evangeline, and many relatives, according to his obituary. His family also donated his organs after his death.

The tragedy has left the family and community grieving the loss of a little boy whose life was cut short by what his loved ones say was a preventable mistake.