The death of little Mathias raises the question of the care in the canteens of children suffering from food allergies. But for the prosecutor, it was an accident.
The death of little Mathias, nine years old, would be above all a medical problem, according to the prosecutor of the Republic of Bourg-en-Bresse, Denis Mandon. He spoke yesterday to express his condolences to the family, but also to appease the spirits.
Acute asthma attack
“This death is obviously cruel (…) but it is not in the state a criminal investigation” he reaffirmed, recalling that the young boy was fragile. Mathias died Thursday of an acute asthma attack, potentially triggered by a food allergy, after having lunch in his school canteen, in Ain. An autopsy carried out on Friday was to provide more details on the circumstances of this tragedy, even if additional analyzes could take place subsequently.
Great emotion
Without these results, it is difficult to know more at this stage, except that the little boy was allergic to milk protein. A system, the Individualized Reception Project (PAI), had been put in place to better deal with his food intolerances and asthma, by offering him an adapted menu. IAPs are increasingly common in schools, as around two to three children per class suffer from food allergies.
Was there a problem there? For the moment, nothing is certain, and the prosecutor intends to treat this case as an accident. Especially since the teachers would have done everything to revive Mathias, in vain.
In the meantime, his whole village of Jujurieux is still in shock. Parents and children share their great emotion by placing flowers, drawings and little notes around the school. A psychological unit has been set up for teachers, students, but also their families.
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