7-Month-Old Baby Dies After Eating Detergent Tablet

A 7-month-old baby boy, Michael Williams, has died in Florida after consuming a liquid detergent tablet, Kissimmee police have confirmed.

The baby got hold of a detergent pod after it had been left beside a washing basket by his mother, who stepped out for a few moments. On her return, she found the little boy had eaten a liquid tablet, Stacie Miller, Kissimee police spokesperson confirmed. 

Baby Michael, who was said to be “in some distress,” was rushed away from a shelter for abused woman and died Friday afternoon in hospital. 

All Might Pacs, the liquid tablet eaten by the baby.

The Florida Poison Information Centre said that the baby’s death is not an isolated incident, stating that it has received almost 300 exposure reports so far this year.

The centre’s medical director Dr. Cynthia Lewis-Younger said, "With young children, any household product is likely to end up in their mouth."

"Parents know that things in the house can be dangerous and they call for advice. And many of those cases we can reassure parents," she added. 

The incident has raised concerns about the access young children have to such substances.

"The death of little Michael is a tragedy," Florida Department of Children and Families spokesperson Terri Durdaller said to the Sentinel.

"It reminds all of us as parents the dangers of leaving household cleaning supplies around our little ones.”