6-year-old died of E. Coli, mom says she ‘never thought it would be us’

SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/Gray News) – A Massachusetts mother who lost her 6-year-old daughter to an E. Coli infection said she believed her child became ill after eating a McDonald’s cheeseburger.

Samantha Ocasio is still in shock that her 6-year-old daughter Angelica has disappeared.

“She was always happy. She lit everything up,” Ocasio said.

Angelica died a few weeks ago at Baystate Medical Center in Massachusetts after complaining of abdominal pain and bouts of vomiting.

Angelika’s death was linked to the strain of E. Coli bacteria detected in her body.

“Yes, I’ve heard of E. coli before. But did I ever think it would be us? NO. Never in a million years did I think I’d be sitting here right now talking about all this,” Ocasio said.

Ocasio has stated that she believes the bacteria came from a McDonald’s cheeseburger that Angelica ate on Halloween night. She died just a few days later.

Ocasio said that before she took the children trick-or-treating, they stopped at a local McDonald’s.

“She ate a cheeseburger and her brothers liked nuggets,” Ocasio said.

Ocasio claimed this was the only thing Angelica ate differently from her six siblings.

“She just wanted a cheeseburger, not knowing that at age 6 it would cost her her life,” Ocasio said.

The mother’s allegations came after McDonald’s found that chopped onions used in Quarter Pounders caused an E. coli outbreak. The CDC reported the outbreak left over 100 people sick, dozens were hospitalized, and at least one person died.

However, the chopped onion used in the Quarter Pounders is different from the diced onion used in the cheeseburger that Angelica ate.

McDonald’s also said Angelica’s death came nine days after it removed contaminated onions from its affected restaurants.

The CDC said the E. coli outbreak at McDonald’s has not been linked to any Massachusetts restaurant where Angelica ate the cheeseburger.

In a statement, McDonald’s said:

“We are completely devastated by the loss of this family and extend our deepest sympathies. We take every report of a potential food safety issue seriously. Upon learning of this devastating report, we immediately contacted the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, our third-party experts, and our supply chain team. It’s important to know that public health officials have not linked any reports of E. Coli to McDonald’s in Massachusetts or the broader Northeast region.”

McDonald’s added that it will continue to assist local health officials with their investigation into Angelica’s death.

Despite all the unanswered questions, Ocasio must now deal with the loss of her daughter and all the future possibilities that may lie ahead for her.

“I’m going to miss a lot of my first moments with her, which is a lot,” Ocasio said through tears. “I will miss you very much.”