Applebee's Changes Beverage Policy After Tot Was Served Alcohol

MADISON HEIGHTS (WWJ) - Applebee's is changing the way it serves juice, after a toddler was mistakenly served an alcoholic drink at its Madison Heights location last week.

The popular restaurant chain is amending its serving practices by pouring juice from single-serve containers right at the diner's table.

The move comes after a 15-month-old child was served a beverage containing alcohol instead of apple juice.  

Fifteen-month-old Dominic Dill-Reese began acting strangely shortly after a few sips from his cup during a family outing at Applebee's.

"He was a little out there," said the boy's mother, Taylor Dill-Reese. "He was saying 'hi and bye' to the walls and he eventually laid his head down on the table, and we thought that maybe he was just sleepy."

Turns out the tot was mistakenly served an alcohol-infused margarita mix.

Upon inspection at a local hospital, doctors determined the boy's blood-alcohol level was .10 -- more than the legal limit for Michigan drivers.

The Detroit News reports at least three similar incidents dating back to 2006 have been reported at Applebee's restaurants in the United States.

The local Applebee's manager has apologized to the family and the chain restaurant's national office called the incident in Madison Heights unacceptable.

An investigation by the chain has been launched into the incident.