Health & Wellness
Florida mother sues hospital after toddler son had massive heart attack over alleged prescription error
De’Markus Page, who weighed just 21 pounds, entered AdventHealth Ocala on March 1, 2024, with a virus and dangerously low potassium.
A Florida mother has filed a wrongful death lawsuit after her 2-year-old son died from a massive heart attack after an alleged potassium overdose at UF Health Shands.
Toddler Admitted With Low Potassium Leads To Death
De’Markus Page, who weighed just 21 pounds, entered AdventHealth Ocala on March 1, 2024, with a virus and dangerously low potassium. Doctors transferred him the next day to Shands Teaching Hospital in Gainesville for specialized care.
Decimal Point Error Allegedly Changed Dose
According to the lawsuit, Dr. Jiabi Chen deleted a decimal point in the child’s prescription. The error increased his potassium dosage from 1.5 mmol to 15 mmol twice daily.
Court papers allege staff ignored pharmacy system warnings and administered the excessive doses. De’Markus was already receiving potassium through IV fluids and Pedialyte.
Cardiac Arrest and Delayed Response
On March 3, at 8:28 p.m., staff gave the toddler the second overdose. By 9:02 p.m., he went into cardiac arrest.
The lawsuit alleges medical staff took 20 minutes and made several failed attempts to intubate him. During that time, he lacked oxygen, which caused catastrophic brain damage.
Two Weeks on Life Support
De’Markus’ heart restarted, but the damage was irreversible. He endured seizures and ICU complications while on a ventilator. On March 18, 2024, his mother made the painful decision to remove life support.
Family Seeks Accountability after Potassium Overdose Leads to Toddler’s Death
Dominique Page filed suit against UF Health Shands, University of Florida Health, and medical staff. She seeks damages for her son’s suffering and her loss of companionship.
“It’s been extremely difficult since the passing of my son because to this day, I still have not known what happened,” Dominique Page, De’markus’ mother, told WCJB. “I was never told. When I asked, it was always a vague, ‘I do not know. I do not know.’ I still have nightmares about what happened.”
Real stories. Real impact. Straight to your inbox. Join thousands others. Click here to subscribe to our newsletter today!
Follow us on Facebook, X, TikTok, Instagram
South Florida woman reportedly set on fire by roommate, GoFundMe launched to support medical costs
Boston’s Black Market Nubian faces April 30 closure as community mobilizes to save cultural hub
Man charged in March crash that killed beloved New Jersey mother
Ashlee Jenae’s father launches GoFundMe to help family bury late influencer
Pregnant rapper and nursing student Qualeisha “Siditty” Barnes fatally shot in Atlanta
Shaquille O’Neal pays for funeral costs for 12‑year‑old Jada West, Georgia officials say
New Jersey police reach $4 million settlement with children of woman killed by ex-husband, a former police officer
Asbury Park High School: Crossover event esports and history with Tina Watson
Jury awards California woman $15 million after supervisor called her n-word
GoFundMe launched for Cleveland deacon recovering after brutal attack outside church
OWN greenlights first-ever ‘Belle Collective’ spinoff Belle Collective: Birmingham
Hazel Scott’s legacy returns to Harlem in free outdoor film screening
Olympic Gymnast Frederick Richard sets world record, raises $50K for Ugandan youth
Renee Ferguson, trailblazing investigative journalist, dies at 75
“AfroPoP Digital Shorts” returns to the land with “Sweet Samara,” climate and abolitionist film
-
Crime & Justice2 weeks agoGoFundMe launched for Cleveland deacon recovering after brutal attack outside church
-
Crime & Justice2 weeks agoKansas City woman shot five times during Uber ride
-
Community2 weeks agoDallas barber creates sensory‑friendly haircut experiences for neurodivergent children
-
Community1 week agoGoFundMe launched for family of 7‑month‑old girl killed in Brooklyn shooting
-
Crime & Justice2 weeks agoFlorida Vice Mayor found slain at home was sister of Parkland survivor who died by suicide
-
In Memoriam2 weeks agoDee Freeman, veteran actress known for The Young and the Restless and Sistas, dies at 66
-
Community2 weeks agoArkansas mother fights for her life as she awaits rare dual organ transplant
-
Science2 weeks agoVictor Glover makes history on Artemis II as crew travels toward the moon
-
New Jersey3 days agoAshlee Jenae’s father launches GoFundMe to help family bury late influencer
-
In Memoriam6 days agoAfrika Bambaataa’s legacy and controversy: Remembering the hip-hop pioneer