LAKELAND, Fla. — A Polk County mother says she may sue an Olive Garden restaurant in Lakeland for serving her toddler alcohol. The 2-year-old boy was accidentally given sangria instead of orange juice two weeks ago. He was rushed to the hospital, but will be OK.
Jill VanHeest says she didn't suspect anything was wrong, when her son, Niko, started acting up at the restaurant on U.S. Highway 98. VanHeest said the restaurant manager admitted that her son was given a drink containing white wine instead of orange juice.
"How disorganized can your bar be that you serve something with alcohol to a child in a cup, with a lid nonetheless, and not recognize it for half an hour?" said VanHeest."I couldn't discipline him because he wasn't acting out, he was drunk."
Doctors at Lakeland Regional Medical Center examined the toddler. The mother claims her son was traumatized from being poked and prodded.
VanHeest has an attorney but isn't sure whether she will sue. VanHeest's attorney contacted the news media in central Florida this week after reports surfaced that a Michigan Applebee's accidentally served a margarita to another toddler.
Orlando-based Darden Restaurants owns Olive Garden. A company spokesperson said an employee didn't follow their strict operating procedures.