For his tenth birthday, Richie Zaragoza decided that he wanted to go to the Star Buffet and Grill. While they were waiting for their order, Richie and his half-sister, Ginaya Mendoza, were given apple juice to drink. Nearly a second later, he “just started screaming, ‘It burns, it burns,’” according to his mother.
According to Lancaster Online, Virginia Davis told LNP what the boy was screaming. Ginaya, who’s only four years old, also suffered the same fate. By Saturday afternoon, both of the children were taken to Hershey Medical Center to be treated in intensive care for their severe burns of the mouth and throat.
For some unknown reason, a caustic substance was mixed with their apple juice in their cups. While no additional information was given on Saturday afternoon, the liquid they drank is currently being looked into.
The children had to be transported through a helicopter from Lancaster General Hospital to Hershey. Davis said, “How do you take your kids out and expect this to happen?”
Richie is already struggling with cystic fibrosis, diabetes, and other medical conditions. His dad, Richard Zaragoza Sr., said, “He’s been through a lot.” His dad has primary custody of him and they both live in the city.
Star Buffet and Grill, which is located at 2232 Lincoln Highway near the Tanger Outlets, serves buffet that has Chinese, sushi, Italian, and American dishes. According to the manager Steve Weng, they haven’t had encountered this problem before.
The apple juice was only bought at a local supermarket. Richie’s mom, who about to turn 33 years old, said that she and Luis Mercado, her brother-in-law, brought all four of her children out for Richie’s birthday.
Ginaya was the first one to take a sip of the apple juice. According to the parent, Ginaya just began “spitting saliva out.” She then threw up and complained about her stomach hurting. Then, Richie followed with screaming and throwing up blood.
Some of the cups with apple juice were fine. However, since the juice came in foam cups instead of the paper ones, there’s an accusation that it may had been the cups.
Both Richie and Ginaya would be under sedation for a few more days. Davis said, “We were supposed to be celebrating his birthday.” Due to Richie’s multiple medical conditions he had to have a gastronomy tube in his stomach, where he can get his oxygen and nutrition supplements through the tube.
