Wisconsin Infant Dies After Balloon Choking

An 11-month-old boy died after biting a piece of a popped balloon animal at a Halloween trunk-or-treat event in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and the latex became lodged in his esophagus. His mother and another person performed CPR, and first responders tried to remove the obstruction, but the child went into cardiac arrest and could not be revived. The boy died two days before his first birthday. His mother, who is 30 weeks pregnant, was hospitalized after the shock and grief triggered early contractions. She is urging stronger protections against balloon hazards, saying warnings are not enough and calling for balloons to stop being sold and marketed to children.