Advertisement

NATIONAL BRIEFING

Share via
Times Wire Reports

Pesticide foggers are probably to blame for the death of a 10-month-old boy and the critical injuries to his 2-year-old brother, authorities said.

Anderson County Deputy Coroner Don McCown said the boys’ mother had been using foggers in their single-wide mobile home in Williamston.

Elizabeth Whitfield, 25, called 911 on Sunday to report that her youngest son was having trouble breathing. All three were taken to the hospital, where the youngest was pronounced dead. The toddler remains on a respirator.

Advertisement

Investigators found seven foggers in the mobile home. Whitfield told authorities she set off three when she began renting a month ago, then continued using them when the insects wouldn’t die. A single fogger is typically used to treat 6,000 cubic feet.

Authorities called in a hazardous materials team before entering the home, McCown said. The bugs, however, were “still running everywhere,” he said.

Advertisement