California dairy regulators closed their investigation of an unlicensed Riverside County goat dairy without any penalty or criminal referral, even after two young girls whose families bought its raw milk developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a life-threatening complication of E. coli infection. The findings come from a ProPublica investigation published Sept. 30 that drew on state records, emails, and text messages.
According to ProPublica, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) closed the case on Aug. 1, 2025. Investigators found that the farm's owner, Courtney Baker, 23, had promoted raw milk for sale and sold unapproved milk products without a CDFA license. She received no penalty, and the case was not referred to the Riverside County District Attorney's Office.
