In mid-February 2016, images of Oliver Jack Carter Lomas (the "Bernie Baby") were widely shared on social media. The infant boy was depicted dressed as candidate Bernie Sanders, and the photos were an instant favorite of the Democratic presidential candidates' supporters:
Just met 3.5 month old Oliver Jack Carter Lomas @BernieSanders Las Vegas rally. His mom says he's a #BernieBaby pic.twitter.com/uwByr6jzAy
— Josh Haskell (@joshbhaskell) February 14, 2016
Oliver's mother Susan Lomas frequently tweeted about her son, inviting social media users to freely share photos of the "Bernie Baby":
#UmbertoEco #berniebaby Please feel free to share bernie baby pics pic.twitter.com/qMWdEoRi4h — Susan Lomas (@SusieLomas) February 20, 2016
One popular meme involving Lomas was published to a Facebook page dedicated to Sanders-related image macros:
In the post's comments section, user Anastasia Lomas shared the following comment on 27 February 2016:
This is my nephew, Oliver Jack Carter Lomas aka the Bernie Baby. He passed away Thursday due to SIDS at only 4 months old. We will be posting information about his funeral in a couple of days for those that want to attend. Please keep my sister I your thoughts.
While Susan Lomas didn't directly mention Oliver's passing on Twitter, she retweeted a 28 February 2016 acknowledgement of the infant's death:
Our social media accounts will go silent for a period of time in memory of Little Oliver. pic.twitter.com/3MOX5ZDGwZ
— BernieSandersBrigade (@BSandersBrigade) February 28, 2016
A Facebook post published by Susan Lomas addressed her loss:
Oliver Jack Carter Lomas... I love you dearly, I love you most. I love you with all my heart and soul. I know that God will keep you near since God and truth are here.
Posted by Souxsie Lomas on Monday, February 29, 2016
Lomas' sister Anastasia created a GoFundMe page ("Oliver Jack Carter Lomas"), with a brief initial description:
In memory of baby Oliver Jack Carter Lomas son of Susan Lomas
Born 10/17/2015
Happiest baby ever!
Tragically taken by SIDSAka the Bernie Baby
#BerniebabyThe funds donated will go towards the wake, funeral, and burial expenses as well as any counseling the family may need.
Thank you so much from the bottom of our hearts.