A school in New York City is closed after a toddler with a dairy allergy died after reportedly being fed a grilled cheese sandwich.

Elijah Silvera, 3, was sitting in his pre-K class at Seventh Avenue Center for Family Services in Harlem when he went into anaphylactic shock after reportedly eating the sandwich.

He was rushed to the emergency room shortly after where he was pronounced deceased.

RELATED: Allergy-safe lunchbox ideas



14 PHOTOS Allergy-Safe Lunchbox Ideas See Gallery Allergy-Safe Lunchbox Ideas Ground Turkey Tacos Allergy: Fish; Alternative: Ground Turkey Tacos Fish is a ubiquitous allergy-inducer, thus canned tuna probably shouldn't be a lunchbox go-to. A great replacement is lean ground turkey, which you can stuff into just about anything. Saute it in the skillet with some paprika, garlic, and bell peppers and it makes the perfect taco filling for a festive Mexican bite. Credit: Thinkstock/iStockphoto Chicken Salad Allergy: Eggs; Alternative: Greek Yogurt The common chicken salad is filling but can be threatening because of egg allergies. That familiar creamy consistency that comes from mayonnaise can be found in the form of egg-free Greek yogurt. Rich and smooth, the substitute will go undetected by your child and gives them a healthy alternative to mayonnaise. Credit: Thinkstock/iStockphoto

Tofu Egg Salad Allergy: Eggs; Alternative: Avocado and Tofu

Make your grandmas classic egg salad just as you normally would, but replace the main ingredient with luscious avocado, to replace the rich yoke, and firm tofu chunks, which will stand in for the egg whites. With a vibrant color and a satisfying texture that could compete with the original, this substitute may just become a classic of its own. Credit: Thinkstock/iStockphoto Pudding Slushie Allergy: Chocolate; Alternative: All-Natural Fruit Pudding Slushie Whether the allergy is to milk or cocoa, chocolate is a no-go. And one must admit that pudding is not the most healthful snack to stuff in the lunch bag. This fruity slushie replacement has just as much sweet satisfaction, but is free of added sugars and is 100 percent natural. Just freeze what you've whipped up the night before and pack it the day of. By lunchtime, this frozen treat will have melted into perfect slurping slush. Credit: Thinkstock/iStockphoto Ham and Cheese Sandwich Allergy: Wheat; Alternative: Rice Cakes A sandwich without bread? That's right. Wheat contains the protein gluten, which is essential to classic bread-making, but it also can cause serious stomach upset if sensitive, and it is not missed in this crunchy creation. For a twist on the classic ham and cheese, layer those two between two airy rice cakes and bind them together with a healthy schmear of jam. A little bit sweet, a little bit crispy, and it's a lot of satisfaction between two healthy cakes. Credit: Thinkstock/iStockphoto Margherita Pizza Allergy: Milk; Alternative: Goat Cheese (for a cow's milk allergy) and Soy Cheese (for a milk allergy)



No child should be deprived of the well-liked margherita pie. Skip the overprocessed, pre-packaged lunch options we often see these days and enjoy creating a personal pan pizza for the cows-milk sensitive calves in your keep. Use ready-made dough, and slather tomato sauce and creamy goat cheese on it. Top with basil for an eye-pleasing effect. If your kid is 100 percent lactose intolerant, use soy cheese instead of goat. It melts just as well and they'll never know the difference. Credit: Thinkstock/Hemera Trail Mix Allergy: Nuts; Alternative: Seeds and Roasted Chickpeas The downfall of store-bought trail mix is that is usually has at least one variety of nut. So what to do if your kid is allergic? That crispy crunch can be recreated with a variety of seeds and roasted chickpeas, the latter actually a bean that when roasted, has a nutty bite. Credit: Hemera Technologies Lasagna Allergy: Wheat; Alternative: Eggplant Many kids are allergic to wheat or gluten. Most pasta, an ingredient with endless creative possibilities, unfortunately falls into this category. But here is a clever trick for adapting the comforting classic lasagna. Instead of layering the ricotta cheese and meat sauce between pasta sheets, use long strips of raw eggplant to divide the tiers. They will bake well in the oven and they provide the perfect pasta-like support. Credit: Eising Banana Bread Allergy: Wheat; Alternative: Quinoa Flour For those with wheat allergies, there are a variety of gluten-free flour options for baking, so there is no reason the smell of baking banana bread should not permeate your kitchen, nor make it into to the lunchbox. Quite simply, quinoa is key for this. A gluten-free whole grain, its flour form is easily found in most health-food stores, and even larger supermarkets with a natural/organic section. I assure you that your banana bread has never been so powerfully packed with protein and nutrients. Credit: Thinkstock/iStockphoto Oatmeal Allergy: Milk; Alternative: Orange Juice Who doesn't love a warm, thick bowl of belly-filling oatmeal? Usually, the child with the milk allergy, as milk is the most common liquid ingredient used to give those oats a little body. But a brilliant dairy substitute comes in the form of fresh OJ, which adds an all-natural sweetness that will keep your kids awake all school-day long. Strange, you think? Try it and you will never turn back. Credit: Thinkstock/iStockphoto Cornbread Allergy: Corn; Alternative: Millet Meal The Southern comfort of cornbread soothes the soul, but can cause much discomfort for corn-intolerant kids. Lucky for them, using millet meal instead of cornmeal curbs that health threat. The creamy grain is saturated with magnesium and fiber and will keep your bread moist and rich slice by slice just make sure you pack enough for sharing. Credit: Thinkstock/iStockphoto Hot Dogs with Ketchup Allergy: Tomatoes; Alternative: Balsamic Vinegar-Maple Syrup Reduction If you don't have a tomato allergy, you probably didn't know that it was even possible to be allergic to the ubiquitous fruit. But for all of you parents who sadly have to serve your kids hot dogs sans ketchup know all about it. The allergy is usually attributed to the high levels of the salicylate chemical in those bright red globes. Squeeze this instead: Reduce equal parts balsamic vinegar and water on the stove. Once it has thickened, add half that amount of maple syrup and combine. The viscous glaze still has the tartness and sweetness of ketchup, without the additives. This condiment hits it out of the ballpark. Credit: Jupiter Images Popcorn Allergy: Corn; Alternative: Sorghum If corn is your enemy, then you have just found your new best friend. Meet sorghum. This gluten-free cereal grain can be used for baking, beer-making, and "corn" popping. Treat the raw seeds exactly as you would corn kernels. Place them over heat in a skillet and let science take care of the rest. Dust it with your kids favorite herbs and spices and this air-popped sorghum snack will win over allergic and non-allergic kids alike just in time for recess. Vegetable Dipper Allergy: Peanuts; Alternative: Low-Fat Cream Cheese Sticky, salty peanut butter is an understandably desirable spread for your kids' favorite snacks, but crackers, pretzels, apple slices, and baby carrots will not be disappointed to be dipped in lovely low-fat cream cheese. Make sure you buy the whipped variety for a silky and smooth texture that makes dipping easier. For an extra something special, mix it up with a drizzle of natural honey. With 75 percent less fat and an 100 percent satisfying taste, you can feel confident your child isnt missing a thing. Credit: Thinkstock/Hemera Up Next See Gallery Discover More Like This HIDE CAPTION SHOW CAPTION of SEE ALL BACK TO SLIDE

"He was given a grilled cheese sandwich by an adult at the pre-K, despite them knowing and having documented that he has a severe allergy to dairy," a family member wrote on a GoFundMe page created to cover Silvera's funeral costs. "Elijah went into anaphylactic shock and was taken to the Pediatric ER at Harlem Hospital, where, tragically, they were unable to save him."

Another family member spoke to CBS New York, saying the toddler had a personality hard to let go of.

“He was just a light — if you see him, he’s just a bright light,” Ruben Porras said. “He’s one of those kids that… he was one of those kids that when you walk in the room and saw him you just light up.”

The city health department said on Wednesday it was “closing the Center for Family Services and continuing to aggressively investigate what happened and whether the facility could have done something differently to prevent this tragedy.”

SEE ALSO: Malnourished baby dies after parents fed him insanely strict vegan diet

Health officials told the outlet the school failed to adhere to a written safety plan and failed to adequately supervise the child.

On Silvera's GoFundMe page, his family said they are "immersed" in grief.

"Our family is only beginning the long and painful process of adjusting to a world that does not include Elijah in it. As we ease into this unthinkable reality and say goodbye to our sweet, joyful Elijah — and our hopes and dreams for all he would become — we thank you for your support," the page read.

More from :

Young mother stabbed to death in front of toddler son

House weighing 'host of ideas' in tax bill revision, Ryan says

Why your flu shot won't work well this year