By Salma El-Sakka
A 12-day-old baby died after being struck in the head by an avocado falling from a tree outside a nursery in Quilmes, Buenos Aires province, Argentina. The infant, named Lucas, was in his mother's arms when the fruit hit him last Thursday, causing multiple skull fractures. He underwent three hours of surgery and spent four days in intensive care before passing away on Sunday.
Mother blames municipal neglect
Mother Guiliana Gomez, 30, accused the local council of ignoring repeated pleas to prune three trees near the nursery for more than a year. She said residents had formally requested the trees be cut down since 2025, noting that avocados had previously fallen at the entrance and exit of the school. The child's uncle confirmed school records documented the complaints.
Previous incidents reported
According to the family, a father had been knocked unconscious by a falling avocado and other children had narrowly avoided being hit. After Lucas's death, the municipality reportedly cut down the tree secretly. Gomez also said officials only offered her a psychologist who asked how her son was doing after he had already died.
Prosecutor opens investigation
The Quilmes Prosecutor's Office No. 9 is investigating the case, initially classified as death by "negligent injury," according to local security sources cited by La Nacion. In a letter to her late son shared by local outlet Revista Gente, Gomez wrote: "Thank you for those few days of happiness and love you gave us. I love, I loved, and I will always love being your mum."
