The parents of Brooklyn Maris brought the 17-month-old to the ER after she vomited "yellow," then "blue-green" bile over the course of two days. Doctors recommended that the toddler get help at a children's hospital 70 miles away.
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When she arrived, Brooklyn was put on a ventilator for breathing and on dialysis for her failing kidneys. She went into cardiac arrest three times, and her parents did not know if she'd make it.
Doctors said that a dangerous strain of E. coli led to her symptoms. It caused Brooklyn to develop hemolytic uremic syndrome, a condition that damages blood vessels and can cause clots, leading to kidney damage.
Her parents believe the bacteria came from a drink they had given her for six months to help with constipation.
What Did the Toddler Drink?
As the New York Post reports, Brooklyn's mother, Emily, said she was a "miracle baby." Brooklyn was born 7 weeks premature, had a low birth weight, and had underdeveloped lungs. She spent the first month of her life in the NICU.
This led Emily to "detoxify" her family's home, throwing away anything synthetic and eliminating ultra-processed food.
Emily had also started taking a new medication for her chronic pain. Because it passed through breast milk, she had to find an alternative to breastfeeding. Organic formula had too many additives, and cow's milk caused Brooklyn to be constipated.
A Facebook group recommended raw, unpasteurized goat's milk from a farm 10 miles away from Emily's home. Brooklyn took well to it, and her bowel movements became more regular. But a few months later, the vomiting started.
The Farm that Sold the Raw Milk Is Facing a Lawsuit
Raw milk is growing in popularity. However, researchers say that any "claims related to improved nutrition, prevention of lactose intolerance, or provision of 'good' bacteria from the consumption of raw milk have no scientific basis and are myths."
Emily believed she was making the right decision for Brooklyn at the time. She now feels guilty for not knowing better.
"I'm the one that gave it to her," she said. "Just how stupid could I be?"
In California, only licensed farms can sell raw milk. The farm Emily bought the goat's milk from was unlicensed, but it can legally sell it as long as it is labeled as pet food.
The state opened an investigation into the farm. The owner said the milk was advertised as pet food. Emily joined another family whose child became deathly ill to sue the farm. They allege it sold the raw milk as "fit for human consumption." The farm owner said it will "fully defend against the allegations by Plaintiffs."
