Wisconsin family mourns infant son after Halloween party tragedy

Don’Vayaire Avita-Mays, known as “Baby Don,” passed away on October 24th, just two days before his first birthday. His mother, Kisha Avita-Wilson, described the incident to NBC Chicago, explaining that a piece of a balloon animal became lodged in her son’s esophagus after he bit into it.

“We were keeping the balloons away from Baby Don, and one of the balloons came undone,” Avita-Wilson said. “He grabbed it, and he bit it, and when he bit it, it shot the tied-up part into the bottom of his esophagus.”

She immediately attempted to dislodge the object, performing CPR and reaching into his throat. A companion assisted, but the infant quickly went into cardiac arrest.

Emergency responders used a tube and pliers to try and remove the rubber piece, but were unsuccessful. “It was nothing that we could have done to save my baby boy,” Avita-Wilson stated.

A GoFundMe page established to help with funeral expenses describes Don’Vayaire as “a handsome little boy whose laugh was infectious, whose smile could light up any room, and who was loved by so many.” His aunt, Mary Lott, wrote the description.

Avita-Wilson, who is currently seven months pregnant, has experienced complications related to stress, according to the GoFundMe page.

She is now advocating for stricter regulations on balloon products, arguing that existing warnings are insufficient. “They should stop selling them. Stop marketing them to kids. Stop producing them,” she told NBC.