14-03-2025
Cynthiana mother fights for justice after son's life-threatening diagnosis tied to Similac formula
CYNTHIANA, Ky. (FOX 56) — It's a life Keela Milner never expected for her son.
'In the middle of the night one night, he was ten days old when this happened; he was crying a lot,' said Milner. 'And then when I changed his diaper, there was blood.'
Her son Ozney was diagnosed with NEC, which is a gastrointestinal condition where the lining of the intestine becomes inflamed and dies.
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'When we went to the hospital, they did x-rays and stuff and showed that he did have NEC,' Milner said. 'And that's when they told me babies don't live from this; we were put in the ICU.'
Baby Ozney's life started in the hospital, and he's rarely seen the outside since.
'Our whole life has just been turned upside down,' added Milner. 'Like my daughter never stayed away from me, and now that I'm in the hospital with him, she's been staying with my mom.'
She told Fox 56 that her doctors believe the NEC was caused by Similac formula, which wouldn't be the first time the product has been under fire.
Lawsuits against the formula allege the manufacturer failed to warn about the risk of NEC. It also claims Similac increased the likelihood of NEC in premature babies.
With Ozney being full term, Milner said she is struggling to seek justice.
'No lawyer can pick him up because he wasn't a preemie,' Milner explained. 'So from what I gather from all the doctors, preemies are normally who get this because they can't fight off the NEC from the formula. But Ozney was a full-term baby that can't fight it off.'
She said it's been one battle after another, which is when a lifelong friend decided to lend a helping hand.
'You need support; you need to have a backbone,' said Milner's friend Bethany Cox. 'I've tried to be that for Keela, and I hope I have. And for Keela to have someone always willing, like when she goes into the hospital, I make sure that I reach out to the community for help.'
Cox started a GoFundMe for Ozney, hoping to relieve some of the financial burden off of Milner and her family.
But she said the biggest way she's trying to help is by seeking answers.
'If there's a lawyer that can take his case to find these answers, help change the law to get this to where there's not only help for Ozney but maybe there's another mother out there struggling,' Cox added.
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Doctors told Milner her son likely wouldn't make it to a year. But now, at 11 months old. Ozney is home for now.
'He's a tough little guy,' Milner said. 'All he knows is to fight, and that's what he does.'
Fox 56 News has been in contact with Abbott Public Affairs, which handles media inquiries regarding Similac Formula. We are waiting for a response.
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