John Cominsky of WBTV reports that a toddler has died at Levine Children’s Hospital while being treated for a suspected case of E. coli, sources told WBTV.  Gage Lefevers, a toddler from Gaston County, passed away Friday afternoon at the hospital, sources said.

A source close to the family confirms to WBTV the toddler was being treated for suspected E. coli, possibly contracted at the Cleveland County Fair.  Gage was one of 16 people in four counties who may have been sickened with the bacteria.

“I can’t imagine what that family is going through,” said Beth McNair, who has a son being treated for E. coli. Jordan McNair is said to be slowly improving.

Family members of other E. coli victims told WBTV that they are all gathered in support at the hospital tonight.

According to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, investigators are working with local health departments in Gaston, Cleveland and Lincoln counties to investigate the outbreak. There is also one reported case in York County, SC.

The people sickened have all attended the Cleveland County Fair between September 26 and October 7.