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Buffalo, NY:

Mother Speaks about Swine Flu Death

Mother says son was healthy ....

Posted By: Rachel Kingston Posted By: Claudine Ewing 1 min ago
http://www.wgrz.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=67886&catid=13

When Matthew Davis was feeling ill at home just days before died, he asked his mom, ‘what is wrong with me, am I going to die,” recalled Lucretia Belton.

Belton is the mother of Davis. The 15-year old boy was scheduled to graduate from eighth grade at Harvey Austin School #97 in Buffalo on Wednesday. Instead the family will be attending his wake at Amigone Funeral Home in Buffalo.

Davis, according to his mother was healthy. “There was nothing wrong with my baby, no cold, not even a sniff,” said Belton.

In an interview with 2 On Your Side’s Claudine Ewing, the grieving mother explained how fast her son became ill. It was one week from the day Matthew started feeling that he died.

Students, teachers and community members are mourning the teen’s death.

Flags there are at half staff and a sign in front of the school says — “Our hearts and prayers are with the family and loved ones of Matthew Davis.”

Over the weekend, a spokesman for the Erie County Health Department confirmed a death associated with swine flu.

Buffalo Teachers’ Federation President Phil Rumore said it’s his understanding that the 15-year-old’s health was further compromised by an underlying MRSA infection.

Belton says doctors told her as a result of the swine flu her son contracted MRSA and pneumonia.

“I’m not coping. I want my baby. can they give me my baby back. I’m a mess,” said Belton about the death of her son.

She wishes the school was closed when the teacher was diagnosed with swine flu. It is not known how Matthew Davis was infected. She has an older son who attends Riverside High School, but he was never ill, although district officials closed that school to deal with the swine flu in the building.

Buffalo Schools Superintendent Dr. James Williams says grief counselors are on hand today.

Only a small number of students are required to report to school to take final exams.

A second Buffalo student - who attends the Charles R. Drew Science Magnet School #59 Museum Campus, remains hospitalized with Swine Flu. The child, a female, is listed in critical condition in the Pediatric Intensive Care unit at Women and Children’s Hospital.