Tragic Flu-Related Death in Randolph Family
A family in Randolph is grieving the untimely death of their 2-year-old son, who succumbed to complications from the flu.
Isais Castillo IV passed away at Morristown Medical Center on January 6, marking the first pediatric flu-related death in New Jersey this season.
His mother, Giselle, called his loss “the biggest loss of our lives” in a heartfelt post on Facebook.
On January 5, Isais was taken to the emergency room early in the morning after running a fever of 101.2 degrees the day before, Giselle shared with ABC7 Eyewitness News.
He was diagnosed with the flu, and his parents were told to take him home and treat him with Tylenol or Motrin for his fever. Initially, he seemed to improve that afternoon, but later he developed a 105-degree fever and started having seizures, according to reports.
Tragically, Isais died the following morning at the medical center. Giselle expressed her belief that he shouldn’t have been discharged, saying “Morristown should have never let him go home the morning that we were there.”
Atlantic Health, which owns Morristown Medical Center, did not respond immediately to requests for comment.
Isais had not yet received a flu vaccination, although he was scheduled for one later in the month, according to his mother.
Described as a joyful child who loved playing with toy dinosaurs, Isais “was the light of every room he was in,” as noted in an obituary.
“He touched every single one of our hearts with his beautiful smile and unique personality. We will cherish the unconditional love he gave us,” the obituary mentioned.
He is survived by his siblings, Olivia, Alejandro, Sofiah, and Angelica.
A GoFundMe campaign created to assist the family described Isais as “beloved” and highlighted the profound pain of losing a child. The campaign mentioned, “There are no words that can ease the pain of losing a child, and during this time of deep grief, the family is navigating overwhelming emotional and practical challenges.”
As of Wednesday morning, the campaign had raised over $15,000 to help the family cope financially while they mourn Isais and begin to heal.
This flu season has been particularly concerning, with reports indicating more cases than in previous years. New Jersey recorded 9,288 new flu cases in the week ending January 3, which is nearly 29% higher than the same week last year.
So far this season, New Jersey has seen 58 flu-related deaths, primarily among those aged 65 and older. However, flu can lead to severe health issues and fatalities in people of all ages, including children.
The 2024–2025 flu season has reported the highest number of pediatric deaths since the national tracking of child fatalities began in 2004. Alarmingly, nearly 90% of the 280 children who died were not vaccinated, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The flu vaccine is accessible to everyone ages six months and older.
