A 3-year-old boy died after his pre-school made a mistake of giving him a grilled cheese sandwich despite knowing that the toddler was allergic to dairy. The incident took place Wednesday at the Seventh Avenue Center for Family Services in Harlem, New York.

A GoFundMe page created by a family member described what happened to Elijah.

"He was given a grilled cheese sandwich by an adult at the pre-k, despite them knowing and having documented that he has a severe allergy to dairy," the GoFundMe page said. "Elijah went into anaphylactic shock and was taken to the Pediatric ER at Harlem Hospital, where, tragically, they were unable to save him."

New York City officials shut down the school — which serves about 40 kids — after Elijah Silvera's family accused the institution of making the fatal mistake. The Health Department will investigate the incident and until then the school will remain closed, local media reports said.

The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene said in a statement Wednesday night that it is "closing the Center for Family Services and continuing to aggressively investigate what happened and whether the facility could have done something differently to prevent this tragedy."

A representative from the department told the New York Post: "There is nothing more important than the safety of our children and we are deeply saddened by this tragedy," adding, "We will get to the bottom of what happened here."

Health officials told local network CBS2 that they suspected the school failed to follow a written safety plan and also failed to supervise the child adequately.

Earlier Wednesday, the school said it was conducting its own investigation. The Administration for Children’s Services will send its representatives to the school Thursday to help parents find alternative care for their children.

Elijah "was just a light — if you see him, he’s just a bright light. He’s one of those kids that… he was one of those kids that when you walk in the room and saw him you just light up," Ruben Porras, one of his relatives, told CBS2 remembering the 3-year-old.

Elijah's parents are preparing for the funeral of the toddler.

"Our family is only beginning the long and painful process of adjusting to a world that does not include Elijah in it. As we ease into this unthinkable reality and say goodbye to our sweet, joyful Elijah — and our hopes and dreams for all he would become — we thank you for your support. It is an unimaginable time for everyone who loved Elijah, in particular for his 5-year-old brother Sebastian, who struggles to understand that his brother is truly gone," the GoFundMe page read.

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