Mother Raises Awareness After Son’s Sudden Death from Rare Infection

Ashlee Dahlberg is grieving the tragic loss of her 8-year-old son, Liam, who died within 16 hours of contracting Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib), a rare but aggressive bacterial infection. Liam initially complained of a headache after school in April 2025. By the next morning, he was in the hospital, brain-dead from meningitis.

“This is not your typical flu… anybody that contracts it usually dies within 24 hours,” Ashlee shared tearfully.

Despite being vaccinated, doctors believe Liam caught the infection from an unvaccinated individual. Ashlee, now an advocate, has launched a Change.org petition urging the removal of religious exemptions for vaccines in public schools.

“Vaccines save lives… schools must prioritize public safety,” she stated.

A GoFundMe campaign has raised over $54,000 to help the family cope with medical and funeral costs. Liam is remembered as a kind and vibrant third-grader who loved dirt biking and basketball.

His heartbreaking story underscores the need for strong vaccination policies to protect all children from preventable diseases.