'Our little girl died four years ago and we're still waiting to find out why'
The devastated parents of a little girl who died after collapsing in hospital say they feel 'let down again and again" as a long-awaited inquest into her death is delayed yet again, nearly four years on.
Bonnie Marsh, just four years old, tragically died in December 2021 after falling seriously ill with vomiting and exhaustion. Despite three visits to hospital, where her mum says she was 'dying in her arms', the bubbly schoolgirl was not admitted until it was too late Now, her grieving parents Lauren and Liam Marsh are still fighting for answers, but the inquest they had hoped would finally give them closure has been pushed back once more.
And the heartbroken couple have revealed a string of horrifying discoveries in the wake of their daughter's death — including learning her body had been frozen without their consent.
Mum Lauren, 33, said: "She's my daughter, but it feels like she's been the NHS 's property since she died. We were finally at the point of getting answers, and it's been taken away from us. We've just been let down again.'
Bonnie, who had just started school and adored Disney's The Lion King, seemed full of a cold on December 14 four years ago when she came home from school. Two days later, she passed out in the bathroom after being sick.
Paramedics told her family her observations were 'fine' and said the hospital wasn't necessary. But her concerned mum insisted on taking her in anyway, explaining: "She was still being sick, floppy and lethargic."
Bonnie was seen again at Norfolk and Norwich Hospital the following day but sent home. On December 18, Lauren knew something was seriously wrong. She added: "She was freezing cold, floppy and dying in my arms. I was wandering around the hospital begging someone to help.'
A cleaner, not a nurse or doctor, eventually guided her to the Children's Assessment Unit and said the tot was "very poorly," Lauren explained. As Bonnie's condition worsened, doctors handed Lauren a syringe and told her to feed her daughter tiny drops of water, despite her being close to death.
Lauren said: 'They gave me the syringe to put water in my dying daughter's mouth. They said they'd restarted her heart and were transferring her by helicopter. But before we could leave, doctors ran back into the room. They said it was time to say goodbye — but when I walked in, she was already gone.'
Ever since the tragic death, Lauren says her family haven't received any support or guidance and that police weren't contacted about the sudden death.
Initially, the cause of death was said to be dehydration due to norovirus. A post-mortem later showed Bonnie had also tested positive for Covid and flu. But then doctors at N&N said she may have died due to a genetic condition, and an interim death certificate listed an 'inborn error of metabolism'.
However, specialists at Addenbrooke's, Great Ormond Street, and even a clinic in Germany all found no evidence of any such condition. To make matters worse, the family were told after her death that Bonnie's body had been frozen to preserve samples.
Lauren added: 'I hadn't signed anything. I had no idea. I was heartbroken. When I finally saw her, she didn't look like my Bonnie anymore.'
Bonnie's inquest was finally scheduled to begin this July, but just three days before it was due to start, the family were told it was being postponed again because a witness was unavailable. At a brief hearing, area coroner Johanna Thompson said: "Bonnie's inquest was due to take place this week, but there were difficulties with the attending witness… It has now been relisted for October 29 and 30.'
However, the family aren't hopeful anything will get done this time and are refusing to put it in their calendar. Lauren explained: "Every delay sets us back three months. Every time, someone needs more time to review evidence. I don't think we're going to get an apology. I just want a concrete answer about what my daughter died from.'
In a statement, Tracey Bleakley, Executive Managing Director at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, said: "Our deepest condolences are with Bonnie's family following their loss and we are sorry to hear there have been delays in the inquest process. It is entirely right that the circumstances are fully reviewed by the coroner following our own internal review. A full inquest… will provide the opportunity to answer all the family's questions.'
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