In brief
Parents of two infants sickened in a serious outbreak of infantile botulism after using ByHeart baby formula have filed lawsuits against the company, claiming defects and negligence. Their children, along with at least 15 others nationwide, were hospitalized for treatment after consuming the formula, which has been recalled. Both families sought the organic product for its perceived health benefits but faced alarming medical crises as a result of its use.
The parents of at least two babies sickened in an infantile botulism outbreak are suing the makers of the ByHeart baby formula at the heart of a nationwide recall.
Stephen and Yurany Dexter, of Flagstaff, Arizona, said their 4-month-old daughter, Rose, had to be flown by air ambulance to a children’s hospital two hours from home and treated for several weeks this summer.
Michael and Hanna Everett, of Richmond, Kentucky, said their daughter, Piper, also 4 months, was rushed to a hospital with worsening symptoms of the rare and potentially deadly disease.
The lawsuits, filed in federal courts in two states, allege that the ByHeart formula the babies consumed was defective and that the company was negligent in selling it. They seek financial compensation for medical bills, emotional distress, and other harm.
Both families said they bought the organic formula to provide what they believed was a natural, healthier alternative to traditional baby formulas, and that they were shocked and angered by the suffering their children endured.
“I wouldn’t guess that a product designed for a helpless, developing human in the United States could cause something this severe,” said Stephen Dexter.
“It was awful,” echoed Hanna Everett.
Outbreak Details
Rose Dexter and Piper Everett are among at least 15 infants in a dozen states affected by the outbreak that began in August, according to health officials. No deaths have been reported.
Both received BabyBIG, the sole treatment for botulism in young children.
As inquiries into more potential botulism cases continue, ByHeart recalled all of its formula nationwide earlier this week. California officials mentioned around 84 babies have been treated for infantile botulism since August.
Initial Symptoms
In Rose's case, her parents bought ByHeart formula shortly after her birth when breast milk was insufficient.
“We do our best to buy something that says it’s organic,” Stephen stated.
After showing signs of illness when she was 8 weeks, Rose was airlifted to a Phoenix hospital, where she stayed for nearly two weeks.
Meanwhile, Piper's health deteriorated quickly after being supplemented with ByHeart formula.
Doctors at Kentucky Children's Hospital reported her condition worsened, prompting emergency treatment with BabyBIG.
Both infants have since improved and returned home, now thriving on different formulas.
