2 kids who shared turkey sandwich sickened; 1 dies

TACOMA, Wash. -- One child died and one child is hospitalized after the two kids shared a turkey sandwich in Oregon and then went swimming.

Investigators are still determining the cause of the infection, believed to be e. coli, KOMO-TV reports.

A third child, who died in Washington state, is also suspected of having e. coli.

Wrapped in a blanket and surrounded by family and friends, 5-year-old Brad Sutton is recovering in a Tacoma, Wash., hospital from a suspected e. coli case just two days after his 4-year-old friend Serena Profitt died from symptoms often associated with an e. coli infection.

"This is the hardest thing I've ever dealt with. You're blindsided. You don't expect this to happen to you - and here it is," said Brad's uncle, Brad Roberds.

Roberds says the families of both kids were gathered Labor Day weekend in Lincoln County, Oregon. Both children shared a turkey sandwich, and days later came down with flu-like symptoms.

"We all ordered cooked food except Brad and Serena. They shared a turkey sandwich, so, you know, a couple days later the symptoms started and it was the only common denominator," Roberds said.

Serena tested positive for a deadly strain of e. coli; her body shut down. Her family took her off life support Monday night.

"She had a room full of people praying, and they did the tests. There was no activity," said Sherri Profitt, grandmother.

Sutton is doing much better - active and watching cartoons - while doctors continue to watch him.

"It's just a waiting game," Roberds said.

Health officials are also looking at swimming areas and private property in Otis, Oregon, where the kids got sick, according to family.

"We just hope it doesn't take a turn for the worse and he doesn't have to do this the rest of his life," Roberds said.

Health officials say a Whatcom County, Washington, child, Brooklyn Hoksbergen, died Friday; her case is unrelated to the other two.