4-year-old upstate NY boy dies from COVID complications – Sports Grind Entertainment

A 4-year-old upstate New York boy has died from complications of COVID-19, his mother and a family friend told The Post.

Xavier M. Harris, of Utica, died of cardiac arrest Saturday one day after Christmas while hospitalized with the virus at Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse, Brandie Reid, a friend of Harris mother, Chantel Brooks, said Thursday.

Harris was first admitted to St. Lukes Hospital in Utica on Dec. 23 and was transferred over the weekend to the second facility, where he died cardiac arrest. Xavier, also known as Xavy, had been previously diagnosed with COVID-19 when he passed away, Reid said.

He was an extremely healthy little boy, Reid said. He had had no prior health problems at all, according to his mom.

Its unclear where the boy picked up the virus, Reid said, adding that she was speaking on Brooks behalf since shes still overcome with grief of losing her youngest son.

She just put him to rest yesterday, Reid said. And she lives her life for her boys, everything she does is for them.

Brooks, 32, also confirmed to The Post in a brief Facebook message that her son died of cardiac arrest from COVID-19 complications.

Xavier was born on July 22, 2016 to Brooks and Darell Harris. Hes survived by his two brothers, 13-year-old Darell Jr., and 9-year-old Jeremiah, according to the boys obituary.

Reid said she has known Brooks for nearly a decade since working with her at a preschool in Utica, where the single mom now works as a teaching assistant at city schools.

Reid set up an online fundraiser to help offset Xaviers funeral costs, remembering him as a spunky boy whose energy and smile lit up a room.

Xavier passed way very unexpectedly after a short illness, the website reads. His mother Chantel lives for her children and has given so much to her community. She is dealing with unimaginable right now of having to bury her baby boy.

Reid said Brooks gave her permission to launch the fundraiser, which garnered more than $31,000 in donations as of Thursday.

I know she would not have the means to pay for the funeral, Reid said, adding that she last spoke to Brooks after Xaviers funeral Wednesday in Utica.

Shes in rough shape right now, Reid continued. Everyone is kind of a mess right now.

Xavier is the youngest known person to die from the virus in Oneida County, the Observer-Dispatch reported.

The countys executive, Anthony Picente, referenced the boys death during his live pandemic briefing on Tuesday, the newspaper reported.

Obviously the news reports of a 4-year-old boy passing away are terribly brutal, Picente told reporters. No parent should have to bury a child. Certainly we dont want to see anyone lose a life to this. Ive said since the day I stood up here months ago, these are not numbers. These are people. These are neighbors and friends and fathers and mothers and now children.

Picente did not verify Xavier died from the virus during Tuesdays briefing, according to the Observer-Dispatch. Attempts to reach him Thursday were unsuccessful.

In New York state, just nine children ages 9 or younger have died from the virus, while 11 victims statewide have been between the ages of 10 and 19, according to the states COVID-19 dashboard.

Its absolutely awful, Reid said of Xaviers death. Its not just killing nursing home residents and elderly people. Its obviously not a regular thing that happens, that a 4-year-old dies from this virus, but it does happen. And he was healthy.

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