A Kentucky boy died June 3 after he tried to swallow cinnamon powder he found in his mother's kitchen.
Matthew Rader, 4, was exploring his mother's kitchen in Richmond, Ky., when he climbed on top of a counter, reached the spice rack, pulled out some cinnamon power, ate some and began choking before he collapsed, according to the Daily Mail.
His mother, Brianna Rader, recalled that when she found her son, he was in a "seizure-like" state.
"He was completely healthy — no problems," said the mother of two, according to the Canada Journal. "He started choking. It was like he was having a seizure and just collapsed."
The boy was rushed to Baptist Health Medical Center in Kentucky where he allegedly died, within 90 minutes, from asphyxiation caused by the cinnamon entering his lungs while he was choking.
To children, the smell of cinnamon can be appealing because they may liken the spice to various deserts they're fond of, according to Examiner.
Grief-stricken and wanting to warn other parents about the dangers of cinnamon in the hands of small children, Brianna took to Facebook, saying she is grateful Matthew's story has spread, in hopes that it will save at least one child's life.
"I can't express how grateful I am for all the amazing support we have right now. And each and every one of you are amazing," her post read. "Matty man's story made the Lex 18 news and now CNN wants to share it nationwide. That helps ease my breaking heart just a little to think that just maybe my baby's story can save even just one child's life."
"Cinnamon can kill," she said. "All these kids, they don't think about the fact it can hurt them."
