Did a Crying Baby Cause 16 Year Old's Death?

by Susan Wagner (Subscribe to Susan Wagner's posts) Jun 10th 2009 6:00AM

16-year-old Danielle Pilot was training to be a early childhood caregiver; as part of her coursework, the British teen was responsible for a life-size computerized baby doll, designed to cry on and off throughout the day and night. But after just 12 hours of looking out for the doll, Danielle was complaining of a lack of sleep. Her father called the school, Northbrook College, in Worthing, England, and said that he was returning the doll and that Danielle would not be continuing with the project.

The next day, Danielle died, and her father blames the day she spent caring for the pretend baby.

Healthy or Hurtful?

But Danielle also had a rare and unusual heart condition: Her heart was on the wrong side of her chest, facing backward. She also had two holes in the chambers that pump blood. An autopsy after her death revealed that her heart muscles had thickened. Dr. Mary Sheppard, a heart specialist, explained that "A heavy heart makes you more liable to complications and can in itself be a cause of death."

Dr Elijah Behr, a sudden death specialist, agreed: "We know why [Danielle's death] happened, we just don't know what triggered it." He added, "Stress and anxiety from the baby are factors that could have worsened her condition but it would be speculative to say it was a definite cause of the events."

Danielle's father disagrees; he blames the pretend baby squarely for his daughter's death. "It was very stressful and in the morning she looked like a new mum herself," he told the inquest. "I question whether someone with her heart condition should have been given one of these virtual babies."

Officials at Danielle's school say that she and her parents knew what she was getting into when she started this particular course; David Percival, the principal of Northbrook College, said that the mock baby is "issued with instructions and parents are asked to consent to its use. Students are also given access to advice outside normal hours if they have concerns."

Danielle's tragic story brought back memories of my own early days as a mother. My first son was premature and had to be fed every three hours; feedings took over an hour, which meant that I was lucky to get 45 or 50 minutes sleep before I had to do it all over again. I was exhausted; every part of my body ached. Fortunately, I was in excellent health, otherwise I cannot imagine how I would have gotten through those first few weeks. I can, however, imagine how lack of sleep could take it's toll on someone with a serious heart defect.

Danielle appeared healthy; her heart condition had never stopped her from participating in outdoor activities, or doing all the fun things kids her age do. But the autopsy showed that her condition was worsening; and as Dr. Sheppard points out, a death like this can be "very difficult for families because people appear to be doing so well -- it comes as a bolt from the blue."

So is this just a case of terrible timing, or is the fake baby responsible for Danielle's death? What do you think?

Source

Comments (238)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 12)

Sue 6-10-2009 @ 6:32AM

If the parents consented to the experiment, knowing her health condition existed the school is not liable. Not only that, but the experiment could have been terminated at any point in time without incident. It is sad this occurred and I feel for the family but a fake baby can't be blamed for their child's death.

Linda 6-10-2009 @ 8:36AM

I finally agree with many of the comments. If the girl had been pregnant, she may not have lived through the pregnancy. The parents could have helped her care for the doll. Are they that insensitive they would not have helped her with a real baby. I know my mother and father did. My first son was only five pounds, he was not early, but he ate only a little at a time, so yes it was every two to three hours of eating. At a slow pace like another comment was made. I had just turned eighteen. There were times I did not want to play the mother game anymore, this is when my parents stepped in to help. I work at I school. Parents need to stop blaming the school for everything and take control of their children's lives again.

falcon5914 6-10-2009 @ 8:41AM

At the age of 16, I would be surprised if she hadn't been sleep deprived before. I suppose the crying may have made her a little anxious, but to be the cause of her death is a little overboard. The father should pay a little more attention to his own grief than looking for a way to get a buck out of a school that I am sure is already struggling for funds, as most schools in this country are. This is a very sad thing and I hope the family can get through it without placing blame.

Sara

http://www.mrrebates.com?refid=223219

Allie 6-10-2009 @ 9:00AM

She was studying to be a child care giver so she had to practice at caring for a child! The parents knew she had a heart condition and that she was getting stressed. Why did they even allow her to bring home the doll. Why did they even let her choose this career path when obviously they themselves knew how stressful raising a child can be!!! This is another example of parents of special needs kids wanting their children to be allowed to do everything a healthy child does and then screaming when it doesn't come out with a happy ending. It's tragic that their daughter died but it's not the schools fault or the fake baby's fault, it just happened and might've happened if she got stressed over a boyfriend or a school exam or even a cold or flu could've caused the same outcome. Grieve for the daughter but don't lay blame.

bgs 6-10-2009 @ 9:05AM

I agree with Sara--what 16 year old has not been sleep deprived from sleepovers with friends? The parents knew the girl's condition and if they REALLY feel this caused her death, why did they allow her to do something that would put her at risk. Kids who do this and their parents know what they are doing when they take these dolls home. If they were really concerned, why didn't they get up with the baby in the middle of the night? Sounds like he is lashing out at anything with his grieving and I hope he is not just trying to get some money out of a lawsuit. If so, it's too bad and sad.

Sadie 6-10-2009 @ 9:14AM

tHIS IS FOR Linda, you didn't want to play the parent game anymore so your parents were there to help???? WHAT KIND OF CRAP IS THAT??, ITS NOT YOUR PARENTS RESPONSIBILITY TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR BABY! YOU HAD THE BABY, THE BABY IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY! I WAS 17 YEARS OLD WHEN I HAD MY FIRST CHILD. I finished High School and had to go to work and PAID my family who didn't work and stayed home with their kids to watch while i went to Work AND SCHOOL , Then i went to COLLEGE. I didn't think it was my parents responsibility to take care of MY BABY i had AT 17!!! IM the one that decided to be an adult and have sex before marriage and thats MY choice to keep my daughter, not my Parents! I Got married after i graduated College and got my career started and now we have 4 more children and my last son was born with a Heart Defect too, he is missing the Left side of his heart, I have taken care of EACH OF MY CHILDREN ON MY OWN, AND BEING A PARENT IS NOT A GAME! I pray for this family who have lost their child to a Heart Defect.
Check out my sons journey at www.liamlockhart.com

Carolyn A. 6-10-2009 @ 11:37AM

This is for Sadie - lighten up on Linda - she didn't say she didn't take care of her child- just there were times when she didn't feel like playing the game - and her parents were there to help her through it - and fyi - paying family members to watch and take care of your child while you go to school is not the same as YOU taking care of your child 24/7 - you should be greatful you had family to help in that situation instead of patting yourself on the back as if you did it.

Sarah 6-10-2009 @ 12:02PM

THIS IS FOR CAROLYN A, FROM YOUR POST
This is for Sadie - lighten up on Linda - she didn't say she didn't take care of her child- just there were times when she didn't feel like playing the game - and her parents were there to help her through it - and fyi - paying family members to watch and take care of your child while you go to school is not the same as YOU taking care of your child 24/7 - you should be greatful you had family to help in that situation instead of patting yourself on the back as if you did it.

I did take care of my daughter 24/7! i made sure that i finished highschool and went to work to PAY FOR HER FOOD AND DIAPERS! PARENTING IS NOT A GAME! I DID NOT LET MY FAMILY DO THAT, I WENT TO COLLEGE AND GOT A CAREER! I HAVEN'T WORKED NOW IN 11 YEARS AND TAKE CARE OF ALL MY CHILDREN AND MY HUSBAND WORKS! SO YEA I DID DO IT BY MYSELF, YES I PAID FOR THEM TO WATCH MY CHILD FOR 1 YEAR BEFORE I PUT HER IN A PRESCHOOL THAT I PAID FOR, SO BEFORE YOU THINK YOUR SOOOO COOL WITH YOUR REPLY ABOUT PATTING MYSELF ON THE BACK THINK AGAIN, BECAUSE I AM PATTING IT REALLY GOOD RIGHT NOW, MY DAUGHTER IS NOW 17 YEARS OLD AND NEXT YEAR WILL BE A SENIOR, MY COUSIN WHO WAS A STAY AT HOME MOTHER AND WIFE WATCHED MY DAUGHTER FOR ME WHILE I FINISHED HIGH SCHOOL THAT I PAID HER FOR I WAS A SENIOR AND HAD TO FINISH SCHOOL, SO FOR A TEENAGER WITH A BABY AND DIDN'T ASK FOR HANDOUTS, BECAUSE I DIDN'T ASK MY COUSIN SHE CAME TO ME I THINK I DID PRETTY DAM GOOD RAISING HER UNTIL MY HUSBAND AND I DECIDED THAT I STAY HOME SO WE CAN HAVE MORE CHILDREN AND WE DO HAVE 4 MORE THAT I TAKE CARE OF SOLEY!!! AND MY LAST SON IS BORN WITH A HEART DEFECT

cannotbelievethis 6-10-2009 @ 12:18PM

Well then, do you think a REAL baby could?

Czar 6-10-2009 @ 12:37PM

The parents knew about and consented to the girl's participation in this class. If this "stress" from a DOLL crying, not a real baby, was a main factor in her death, her health must have been so fragile that she would not have lasted much longer under any circumstances. Very sad, but not the school's fault. Also not the parents' fault. NOBODY's fault! EVERY sad event is NOT the "fault" of somebody. Things just happen.

michelle 6-10-2009 @ 4:53PM

I completely agree with you. Also, even if the girl's parents did not know she had this heart condition, it's still all on them because how is the school supposed to know something about her health history if they don't? It's a good thing this girl didn't really have a child. Her parents would probably try to sue her baby for killing her by crying! The school is not at fault. It'just unfortunate and tragic.

melissa 6-11-2009 @ 7:19AM

I cannot blame the father for being upset. I can't imagine that anyone in his shoes wouldn't be after losing a child. That being said, I don't believe the blame can be solely placed on any one person because I don't believe that there is any blame to be placed at all. It's an unfortunate and very sad situation. Both the parents and the teen herself both knew of her condition and of the curriculum requirements of the training program. No, the father shouldn't be blaming the school or anyone else for that matter that his child has died, but when you have just lost a child you don't know what to do or say or how to act...you're just angry. And you can't blame the girl either...yeah she knew she had a heart condition,that that kind of stress could put her in danger,potentially killing her...and she chose the program anyways. She chose to live her life the way she wanted to....sleepovers,sports,stressed filled school days and all...she didn't let her condition keep her from that...and why should she. She died...that's unfortunate and sad and heart breaking....but she lived her own way in the process. You can't fault anyone for that, no matter what the outcome may be.

Jennifer 6-11-2009 @ 8:43AM

The father is grieving so uch that he ned someone to blame. I really feel for this family, because the parents thought she was ok, she was able to do normal everyday activities.

patti 6-11-2009 @ 8:39AM

If it wasn't the fake baby, then her death could have been caused by a major exam, or a first date or taking a drivers exam...the poor girl was very ill...It sounds like any amount of anxiety could have caused her death.

Kev 6-11-2009 @ 11:27AM

This is for Sadie, Sarah

stop shouting - put in a nicer way your story/ comment would look much better, but you come over a bit an annoying with your shouting about how "uniquely great" you are.

T.R.Hopf 6-10-2009 @ 6:36AM

If this had happened in the USA the child's pediatrician and cardiologist would get sued and reported to the state medical board. However, in order for these doctors to have protected themselves for what probably was an inevitable demise they would have tested the girl over and over with many hospitalizations and consultations. They certainly would never have permitted her to do the "fun things that kids her age do". If there was a surgical fix available that was denied to this girl, then caveat emptor to those promoting the wonders of socialized medicine. Blaming the fake baby is ridiculous, its pockets are too shallow.

LATINAY2K1225 6-10-2009 @ 10:13AM

TO TP ITS A BUNCH OF BULL THAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT A CARDIALOGIST SPECIALIZES IN HEART CONDITIONS AND IS THERE TO ENSURE HE IS DOING HIS JOB. I FEEL THE FATHER IS TRYING TO MAKE A FAST BUCK OFF HIS DAUGHTER AND IS USING THE SCHOOL AS HIS CRUTCH TO ENSURE HE GETS A PAYOUT ON HIS DAUGHTERS DEATH. HE KNEW THE RISKS HE SIGNED A CONSENT FORM FROM THE SCHOOL SO HE HAS NO ONE TO BLAME HE KNEW HIS DAUGHTERS PREEXISTING CONDITION AND KNEW STRESS AND ANXIETY WOULD BE A MAJOR FACTOR IN THIS PROJECT. SO DONT SAY YES HE CAN SUE WHEN IT WAS CLEARLY THE PARENTS RESPONSIBILITY TO SAY NO YOU CANT PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROGRAM KNOWING SHE HAD A SEVERE HEART CONDITION..........