The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has confirmed the presence of E. coli in its investigation of the recent death of a child in Norfolk County.

Melissa Kaye of Braintree says her son Joshua Kaye, 8, died July 7 after a 12-day illness that began with a seemingly curable infection from E. coli bacteria, that turned into kidney failure and ended with a fatal stroke.

This strain of E. coli (0157:H7) often causes stomach problems, but in rare cases, it can cause a condition that attacks the kidneys.

The investigation remains ongoing.

In Braintree, two memorial fundraisers have already been established in Joshua Kaye’s name. His parents opened the Joshua Kaye Memorial Fund at Rockland Trust Bank, 405 Washington St. in Braintree, while family friend Michelle Livingston created the Joshua Kaye Foundation at the site GoFundMe.com.

Since January 1, 2013, there have been 142 cases of E. coli in Massachusetts residents.