Couple take legal action over newborn baby's death
Liliwen Iris Thomas died due to complications during labour on 10 October 2022, 20 hours after she was born at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff.
Emily Brazier and Rhodri Thomas, from Cardiff, claim Ms Brazier was left alone to give birth despite the pregnancy being classed as high-risk and said they were living "every parent's worst nightmare".
Cardiff and Vale health board shared its condolences and said it was fully engaged with the inquest process but added that "it would be inappropriate to comment further until the inquest concludes".
"I have very hazy memories of my labour but then I vividly remember peeling back the covers and seeing Liliwen there, completely still and lifeless," said Ms Brazier.
"That image will be with me forever. I still have flashbacks and nightmares and have been in counselling since it happened."
Crime by staff tolerated at hospital, report says
Top GP warns NI rise will make waiting times worse
Treatment in corridors becoming the norm - nurses
Mr Thomas said he was not present when Ms Brazier went into labour due to the maternity unit not allowing partners on the ward overnight unless their partner was in active labour.
"I should have been there, I could have been Emily's advocate," he said.
"I would have pressed the call bell and alerted midwives that she was clearly in active labour and needed extra monitoring and help."
Shortly before midnight on 9 October, Ms Brazier said she was given pain relief and left with gas and air before stirring from her drowsiness after 02:00 to discover her daughter had been born.
"It was absolute panic from that point, they took Liliwen away and rushed me up to the delivery suite, I had lost a lot of blood and needed stitches, IV fluids and a blood transfusion," she said.
Liliwen was treated in the neonatal intensive care unit but died later that day.
Since her death Ms Brazier, who at the time was studying to be a nurse, has opted against a career in the profession and has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.
The couple are also parents to daughter Carys and son Ellis but Ms Brazier said "so many happy memories and special family moments are tinged with sadness".
"I dread family events and Christmas as Liliwen will never be there, she will always be the missing piece. I will never get over her death, I feel stuck in time," she said.
"Holding your child as they take their last breath, leaving them behind after their last ever cuddle, walking out of the hospital with an empty car seat, there are so many painful memories seared into my brain.
The health board said: "Our sincere thoughts and heartfelt condolences remain with Liliwen's family during this incredibly difficult time."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
2 hours ago
America Strong: Newfound siblings at 76 years old
Dixon Harshaw, 76, received a holiday gift for Christmas when he met six half-siblings, whom he never knew he had. July 27, 2025
Hamilton Spectator
2 days ago
- Hamilton Spectator
I love my brother. During law school, his personality changed. One night, at dinner, I totally snapped. It's been 18 months and I haven't even met his new baby. Will he ever forgive me? Ask Lisi
Q My brother and I were raised by loving parents in a close-knit home. We've always been close. He's ambitious and has always sought to further his career. He was also a great friend and a great support to me when I got separated, with two small children caught in the middle. In the last few years, he put himself through law school while working full-time. This was a stressful time for him, and I noticed his personality change. I had a boyfriend at the time whom he disliked, and this drove a wedge between us. Dinners at my parents' felt tense because it seemed he was primarily interested in putting me down, rather than our usual lighthearted chats. Some friends blamed it on law school. I reached out to him to chat about our 'rocky relationship,' and he responded: 'Who's rocky?' A few weeks later, at my father's birthday dinner, my brother made a condescending remark, and I snapped. I unleashed years of frustration in a perfect execution of a character assassination. The only people present were my parents and the two of us. I regret it all and wish I'd let that comment slide. Unfortunately, I had an adult-sized tantrum. The next day I began my campaign of apologies. It started with a few text messages, and a phone call that weekend. He didn't respond. A month later, I reached out to his wife (she wasn't present at that dinner, and was newly pregnant) to help bridge the gap. She didn't respond. Months later, they didn't attend Christmas with our extended family, and then everyone became aware. My parents were very upset with me at first. I continued to try and reach out to him every few weeks. By the following spring, his wife gave birth to their first child. My father insisted that my children and I accompany them to meet the baby. My brother didn't let us up to visit. From that point on, our parents felt that enough time had gone by for him to get past what had happened and to move forward. The blame shifted to him, from their POV. My brother graduated from law school and began to work with my father. Every few months, I reach out to him, to no avail. My parents brought my children to meet their cousin once, when she was a few weeks old. His wife and I don't speak. I suspect she's loyal to him and uninterested in being friendly with me. It's been nearly 18 months since that night, and I've apologized multiple times. My therapist tells me to stop, that I've done enough, and I need to accept his estrangement. I can't accept that. Life is short. Some family members have tried to intervene, but they're all met with the same response: 'I'm not ready yet.' Since my brother ghosted me, he's also ghosted my children. They used to have a loving, present uncle, and they've not received a single phone call from him since the estrangement. He no longer attends family functions. His daughter will be a year old soon. I've no reason to believe we'll reconcile anytime soon. But if he loved me as I believed he did — and my children, by extension — why would he let a barrage of hurtful comments kill a lifelong relationship, with no opportunity for resolution? Estranged and Bewildered A Your brother is very, very hurt by whatever it is that you said that night, 18 months ago. I agree with your parents that the statute of limitations is being abused, but he's not letting go. I agree with your therapist. You've done all you can. You need to back down. However, I do think it's OK for your parents to intervene on behalf of your children. They deserve their uncle and his family. I'm so sorry for your loss, but that's what it is. FEEDBACK Regarding Peeping Pepper (May 3): Reader: 'The one BIG question I have is, are there any children in the 'viewer's house? Also, how much do they know about each other and are they able to have a casual chat? 'If there are children, I would have a serious discussion with the neighbours regarding their escapades being viewed. But be prepared for pushback to close their own blinds. Maybe also speak with local law enforcement, as I don't know if their activity can be deemed illegal or lewd behaviour, since they are in their own house. 'If there are no children, maybe just a casual 'cheeky' comment to let them know their 'escapades' are being viewed. Plus, someone else very likely is also viewing and their exploits could easily end up on an internet porn site. If so, how would this couple feel knowing that their sexual activity could be viewed by ANYONE?'
2 days ago
UC Berkeley professor murdered in Greece: Ex-wife's attorney says she is innocent
The ex-wife of Przemyslaw Jeziorski, a marketing professor from the University of California, Berkeley, says she was not involved in his murder, her attorney told ABC News. Jeziorski, a 43-year-old associate marketing professor at UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business, was allegedly shot and killed in Athens on July 4 near the home where his two children -- Zoe and Angelo -- live, his younger brother said in a statement. The children, who are 10-year-old twins, had been living with Jeziorski's ex-wife in Athens since 2020, according to court documents. In a press release shared on July 17, police said an attacker "approached the victim and shot him in the chest and back, resulting in his fatal injury, and then fled." Five people have been arrested in connection with the killing, including the professor's ex-wife, her boyfriend and three other men who were allegedly accomplices in the murder, according to Greek police sources. All five suspects appeared in court in Athens on Monday, with the judge ordering they remain in custody until the investigation, the ex-wife's attorney, Alexandros Pasiatas, told ABC News. But, Pasiatas said he is fighting for the ex-wife's release from prison as he says she is innocent. Four out of the five suspects -- everyone except the ex-wife of the professor -- pleaded guilty to the murder, Pasiatas said. The professor's ex-wife, Konstantina Michelidaki -- who goes by Nadia Michelidaki -- says she was not involved in the murder of Jeziorski, according to Pasiatas, despite friends of the professor previously telling ABC News their relationship "was not cordial" and court records indicating Jeziorski tried to file a restraining order against his ex-wife months before his death because he was "fearful" for his life. Pasiatas denied any allegations of emotional, physical or financial abuse from Michelidaki or her partner. "Nadia is a very nice lady. She's a very good mom. But the most important thing you can say about Nadia is that she doesn't want violence at all," Pasiatas told ABC News. "You have to be only a dreamer in order to say that Nadia has organized that." Pasiatas confirmed that Michelidaki's boyfriend, who is only referred to as "Christos" in court documents, was the person who shot Jeziorski, he said. Pasiatas believes Christos killed the professor because the children were "anxious about going with their father" and he decided to "take the law into his hands" -- even though Jeziorski and Michelidaki were privately involved in an ongoing custody and division of property battle. The attorney claims that the custody battle and division of property were complete. But Jeziorski's brother told ABC News a court settlement was reached that would allow the professor to take the children "for the entire month of July and for Christmas," but his ex-wife "refused to hand them over and hadn't prepared their passports." Christos allegedly was "very traumatized from his own family" and the "only thing he wanted was a nice and peaceful family," Pasiatas said. But Christos saw the "children felt unhappy," Pasiatas said. Pasiatas said Christos was "very good with the children" but did have "psychological issues." He added that Michelidaki, Christos and the children were "uncomfortable" with Jeziorski's girlfriend, who Pasiatas said was an escort who "used to take drugs" and would send messages to the mother saying "your children are idiots." Pasiatas said he believes Jeziorski was still dating this woman up until his death. The attorney also accused the professor of "alcohol problems" and that the children -- who speak to Michelidaki over the phone while she is in prison -- "don't ask about their father, they ask about Christos." He added that the children are aware that their father has died, but not the "way" of his death. As to the accusations against Jeziorski's behavior, his brother, Lukasz Jeziorkis, told ABC News in a statement that Michelidaki is a "liar and manipulator" and that UC Berkeley -- where his brother worked -- would not "tolerate a person with such accusations for even a single day." Lukasz Jeziorski also criticized Michelidaki for staying with Christos and having him spend time with the children. "Why did she stay with and allow such a 'man' as this murderer to be around the children? What kind of mother behaves like that?" Lukasz Jeziorski said in a statement. Lukasz Jeziorski said his brother's children -- who are both U.S. and Polish citizens -- are "under care in accordance with Greek child custody procedures," he said in a statement last week.
