Warragul community rallies to support family of Jeremiah Soa after a popcorn kernel causes family tragedy

It was a normal Sunday when 11-month-old Warragul boy Jeremiah picked up a popcorn kernel from the floor. Within seconds, he was choking.

11-month-old Jeremiah Soa has died, leaving his family "completely heartbroken".

A tight-knit Warragul community has gathered around the family of 11-month-old Jeremiah Soa after the infant’s shock death.

Mum Kirra-Lee Williamson said it was a normal Sunday when Jeremiah picked up a popcorn kernel from the floor. Within seconds, he was choking.

“It was just one of those things that nobody saw,” she said.

“Before we knew it he was blue and floppy – it happened so fast.”

Ms Williamson said paramedics worked on him for 45 minutes before they made the heartbreaking call.

“They just called it and said there was no coming back from it,” she said.

Jeremiah’s family will lay him to rest next Thursday in Warragul.

“We will have a nice little send off for him before we bury him,” Ms Williamson said.

Ms Williamson said her family was still “in the denial stage”.

“It feels like he’s just down the road at Yiayia’s and he’ll be home soon,” she said.

“We know he’s gone but it really doesn’t feel like it yet.

“Once we bury him I think it will feel more real.”

Ms Williamson said Jeremiah’s twin Elijah “knew what was going on”.

“He doesn’t really want to play anymore, he just wants to be cuddled,” she said.

“He’s not really sleeping well either.”

Jeremiah’s other siblings had also been struggling with the loss of their baby brother.

“We chat about him all the time to our three-year-old,” Ms Williamson said.

“She keeps asking where he is.

“Our eight-year-old is still in denial. It really is our worst nightmare.”

Ms Williamson said their support network had been “incredible”.

“Even the kids daycare have gone above and beyond for us,” she said.

“We don’t really know how to say thank you to everyone.”

Ms Williamson said it was “just one of those things you think won’t happen”.

“It feels like he is still with us – even his car seat is in the car, sometimes I double take to make sure he’s not there,” she said.

She said friends of their family had been amazing, including one friend, Olivia Carey, setting up an online fundraiser to garner support for the heartbroken family.

The fundraiser has raised $5340 in just three days.