A Heartbreaking Medical Error: The Tragic Story of De’Markus Page

In a devastating case that highlights the critical importance of precision in medical care, two-year-old De’Markus Page lost his life due to what his family claims was a preventable medical error at a Florida hospital. According to a lawsuit filed by his mother, Dominique Page, a doctor’s simple yet catastrophic mistake—deleting a decimal point in a prescription—resulted in the toddler receiving ten times the appropriate dosage of potassium. This heartbreaking story forces us to confront uncomfortable questions about medical oversight, human error, and the systems designed to protect our most vulnerable patients.

De’Markus, described as a picky eater who was suspected of having some level of autism, initially arrived at AdventHealth Ocala Hospital on March 1, 2024, suffering from a virus and dangerously low potassium levels. Weighing just 21 pounds—in the 30th percentile for his age—the underweight toddler received intravenous fluids to address his electrolyte imbalance before being transferred to University of Florida Health’s Shands Teaching Hospital in Gainesville the following day for more specialized care. His condition initially appeared to be improving with electrolyte replacement therapy. However, on March 3, according to court documents, Dr. Jiabi Chen allegedly made a critical error that would change everything: ordering potassium at 15 mmol twice daily instead of the previously calculated 1.5 mmol—effectively removing a decimal point that increased the dosage tenfold. The lawsuit claims this error went unchecked by medical staff and pharmacists, despite a red flag warning in the hospital’s pharmacy system alerting them to the excessive dosage.

The consequences of this alleged error were swift and devastating. After receiving two doses of the excessive medication—on top of the potassium he was already receiving through IV and Pedialyte—De’Markus went into cardiac arrest at 9:02 p.m. on March 3. The lawsuit describes the following moments as a cascade of failures, with the hospital staff allegedly making multiple unsuccessful attempts to intubate the child. Court documents claim that approximately twenty minutes passed before proper intubation was achieved—precious time during which De’Markus’ brain and organs suffered catastrophic oxygen deprivation. Although his heart eventually resumed beating spontaneously, the damage had already been done. Blood tests revealed elevated potassium and phosphate levels, confirming the suspected overdose.

What followed was a heart-wrenching two-week ordeal that no family should ever have to endure. De’Markus remained on life support, suffering seizures and numerous intensive care complications. His mother watched helplessly as her son—who should have been running, playing, and developing as any toddler would—instead lay connected to machines, his small body fighting a battle that began with a misplaced decimal point. On March 18, 2024, after it became clear that De’Markus would not recover from his injuries, he was removed from life support and passed away. The lawsuit filed by Dominique Page seeks at least $50,000 in damages for wrongful death, her son’s suffering, and her own loss of companionship and mental anguish. While no financial compensation can ever replace her child, the legal action represents both a search for justice and an attempt to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

Through her attorney, Jordan Dulcie, Dominique Page has expressed that the hospital and its doctors were “grossly negligent” and “failed the basic standards of medical care.” The lawyer emphasized the preventable nature of this tragedy, stating, “No parent should have to lose a child like this. What the family has endured is unimaginable and the worst part is that it was entirely preventable.” The family hopes to bring the case to trial not only for justice for De’Markus but also to ensure that safeguards are strengthened to protect other children and families from experiencing similar heartbreak. For its part, UF Health has declined to comment specifically on the case, citing patient privacy regulations, stating only that they are “committed to protecting the privacy of all patients and their families and follows all state and federal HIPAA regulations.”

This tragic case raises profound questions about medical safeguards, human error, and accountability in healthcare settings. Medication errors—particularly those involving decimal points—are recognized risks in medical practice, which is precisely why multiple verification systems typically exist in hospital settings. When these systems fail, the consequences can be fatal, especially for vulnerable patients like De’Markus whose small body weight made him particularly susceptible to dosing errors. The lawsuit alleges that warning systems were in place but were somehow overlooked or ignored, pointing to potential systemic failures beyond a single doctor’s mistake. As this case moves through the legal system, it will likely prompt important discussions about improving verification protocols, enhancing communication between medical teams, and strengthening the culture of safety in healthcare institutions across the country.

The story of De’Markus Page is ultimately a painful reminder of human vulnerability—both the physical vulnerability of a small child dependent on proper medical care and the vulnerability of medical systems to human error. Behind the clinical details and legal allegations lies the profound grief of a mother who brought her son to the hospital expecting healing but instead experienced an unimaginable loss. While medical advancements continue to save countless lives every day, this case serves as a sobering reminder that even in our sophisticated healthcare system, vigilance, attention to detail, and multiple safety checks remain essential to protecting those who depend on medical care. De’Markus’ short life and tragic death may ultimately lead to changes that prevent similar heartbreak for other families, though that possibility offers little comfort to the mother who must now navigate life without her son.