Hot on HuffPost Parents:
New Turnaround Teacher 'Trying To Get It Right' In Tough School
Anne Woods: A Weekend for Superheroes
Did a Crying Baby Cause 16 Year Old's Death?
Filed under: In The News
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.
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."
The next day, Danielle died, and her father blames the day she spent caring for the pretend baby.
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."
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?
Your<span>Voice</span>
Ask Us Anything About Parenting
Recently Asked
- Giving up parental rights
- parenting plan, can he take my child if he files before me? the child lives with me and he rarely ever takes him.. but ive been told him he files befo...
- My sister could be my mother found old diary of hers had relations with father also old hospital papers showing she gave birth same day I was born. c...
TheTalkies:RelatedVideos
-
Deep Clean at Baby Death Hospital
The neo-natal ward at Belfast's Royal Jubilee Hospital is undergoing a deep clean, following the deaths of three babies from a bacterial infection.
-
Police Hunt For Answers After Baby Death
It is four weeks since the body of a baby thought to be less than a month old was found in a stream in rural Lancashire.
-
Reports: Mother Arrested in Death of Missouri Toddler
St. Louis police have arrested a suspect in the death of 13-month-old Tyler Dasher, believed to be the boy's mother.
-
What is Cot Death
Cot death, or Sudden Unexpected Infant Death, claims the lives of one baby every day in Britain. In this film Dr Richard Wilson explains that while nobody knows precisely what causes it, there are several theories which are being studied worldwide.
SitesWeLove
- Site Map
- |
- Staff
- |
- Terms of Service
- |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Trademarks
- |
- Advertise With Us
- |
- About Our Ads
- |
- AOL Downloads
- |
- Contact Us
- |
© Copyright 2012 AOL Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Aol Family
ReaderComments (Page 5 of 12)
6-10-2009 @ 9:44AM
Sharon said...Parents now days have gone way overboard on blaming someone else for anything that happens. What they teach their children nowdays is that there is always someone to blame for everything that happens. Life is just that; life. We live, we die. This was her time. Had she been pregnant in real life, her heart probably wouldn't have handled the strain. Who would the dad have blamed then, the boyfriend? I'm very sorry for his loss. I have three children of my own and I know how heartbroken I will be when it's their time. People "cheat" death all the time - no they don't. It's just not their time. When are people going to get back to the common sense they were born with and quit living in their emotions. We are human and we all have a time and a way to die and none of us know when that will be.
Reply
6-10-2009 @ 10:01AM
Dan said...She may have failed, but dad certainly passed economics 101; obviously looking for a check....
Reply
6-10-2009 @ 9:45AM
Vie1989 said...I don't necessarily agree that this fake baby cause her death; however, they do cause a lot of stress and lack of sleep. I took a similar class in high school with the fake baby and you can't simply just give it to someone else during the day or night to take care of so you can rest. You have a key tightly connected to your wrist, that key is what stops the baby's crying. The baby cries multiple times day and night anywhere from 5 to 45 minutes and you have to hold that key at tension in that baby's back until it coos. Not fun doing so multiple times during the night, so I can see how this girl would have gotten stressed out and exhausted.
Reply
6-10-2009 @ 9:47AM
G said...I think your all missing the point with the parents. They did notice a problem and 12hrs they called to return the fake baby. Yes the school knows her condition and should not have allowed it unless she had a medical release same with sports. I gaurantee after this the school will put a new clause in there curriculum that states if you have any health issues at all or could preclude you from this course you need a doctors release. The school new her issues and should not have allowed her to follow this course but as teachers diverted her to something less stressful.
Reply
6-10-2009 @ 9:49AM
sorrowheart said...It is sad and I feel for the family. But I agree that there is no one to blame. She wanted to be a caregiver to small children. Unfortunately, her body was not up to the task. If it had been a real baby, would the father blame it? If she had been working at an actual daycare, would he blame the daycare? He is just hurting more than a parent should have to hurt and looking to blame someone. Sorry he and the family have to go through this.
Reply
6-10-2009 @ 9:53AM
Jenn said...I think the father is trying to find an answer to this insurmountable grief and grasped at the last thing his daughter complained about. He is feeling guilty about this. They are making to much of a father's grief. This comes from pain, and yes he make take it to court and it may go to far but unless you have lost a child you have no idea what the pain and guilt can do to your mental state. I don't think it was the doll so much as her disease progressing and if it was the doll that triggered it well if she hadn't accepted the doll it would have been something else.
Reply
6-10-2009 @ 11:10AM
Nivian said...Hm. She was training to be a early childhood caregiver so that is why she took the baby. But she only had it for one day? I can't see the virtual baby being the trigger, but even if it was. If she wouldn't have passed away she would have been in no condition to take care of real children if they caused her enough stress to aggravate her condition. I'm sorry for their loss and I hope they can move past the step of trying to place blame. I guess it is one step on their road to recovery.
Reply
6-10-2009 @ 9:58AM
Mar said...She participated in sports? If she died on the soccer field, the father would blame that. Either way, the school gets sued. There are some smart and perceptive comments on the board today, like the one about her going to sleepovers. I hope the school isn't held liable for this, but in this crazy world, nothing would surprise me either.
Reply
6-10-2009 @ 11:45AM
Kathy said...It's horrible that she died taking care of a fake baby, but at least a real baby wasn't left motherless
Reply
6-10-2009 @ 10:20AM
Reece said...OK everyone has to get their minds right! first off, read the story correctly. they never said the father knew about her heart condition. they said they found that out by an autopsy. second, they never said he didn't help her with he baby, just said he grew concerned about it, and correlated her complaining about the crying of the baby, and the fact that she dies the next day. therefore, i believe that reading is fundamental, and you should comment on only facts, within the story which you are given. so with that being said, all those that said he has no evidence proving the school is responsible for her death are correct. he would have a weak case, and that would be determined by their knowledge as well as his knowledge of her heart condition. after all, that's like saying homework killed someone in school. very sad story, i pray the family strong during this time period of grief.
Reply
6-10-2009 @ 10:49AM
tbcsi1 said...I don't want to sound rude, but I do think when the daughter was born when they do a check up to see if the baby is healthy they would have noticed and notified the parents of her condition. No matter if they mentioned that in the story or not. If the hospital did not tell the parents about their daughters condition when she was born then the father should be looking at the hospital for answers not the school. I do feel bad for him and the rest of the family at the early lost of their family member but it is not the schools fault.
6-11-2009 @ 11:02AM
jess said...actually they said:
"An autopsy after her death revealed that her heart muscles had thickened."
They never said they didn't know about her heart condition.. they said the autopsy revealed her heart muscles had thickened. Go re-readi it.. there's a period between the two sentences.
it also says:
"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 yes, they knew about the heart condition.. they had basically told her she didn't have to slow down her life for it. and the autopsy said the condition was WORSENING.. so they knew it was pre-existant.
the man is grieving and wants answers, and it's the easiest one because the doll was so annoying.
6-10-2009 @ 10:03AM
lis said...He took crack to keep her up and thats what did her in
Reply
6-10-2009 @ 10:06AM
Jennifer said...It can't be the baby doll......She only cared for it for 12 hours.....Conditions like this worsen over a long period of time, most likely MORE than 12 hours. And the heart condition could have been making her tired if the muscle was working harder to get the job done. Anger over grief does funny things to people. Hopefully the facts will be reasoned out and those close to this young lady are able to handle their grief positively and this doesn't turn into some sort of precident in a legal decision somewhere. Sympathies to the family.
Reply
6-10-2009 @ 10:08AM
Reagan said...Namvet how could set there and say some crap like that.That's irrelevent we don't care if she failed the course.She died because she had heart problems. You're just being a, I'm not even goin' to say it. I'm from Texas and I bet every1 else here that is from Texas won't put up with that. But besides that what if that was ur daughter what would you say then.ROT IN A SACK FOR ALL I CARE.There is no excuse for saying that.
Reply
6-10-2009 @ 10:08AM
bydkyb2 said...Wouldn't the obvious solution be to consult and confirm with their health care provider first before participating in an activity that could possibly effect their daughter's condition? Once it had been confirmed that this activity was okay, then the doctors would be the ones to blame for this unfortunate outcome.
Reply
6-10-2009 @ 10:08AM
Rhonda said...I think the dad is just looking for money. If he can get the doctors to say this doll is what killed his daughter. Look how much money he will get. What teenager is not tired? They spend lot of time on the phone the computer and the tv. The doll stopped her from doing the fun things she wanted to do. That is where the stress came from. I also have heart problems. The problems I have with my heart did not happen over night. So I am sure the heart muscles did not thickened over night..
Reply
6-10-2009 @ 10:11AM
krissysmom said...I can empathize with anyone who has a child with a birth defect. I have a younger brother who was born with an extreme case of arthritis that has confined him to a wheelchair since birth. He is now 23. My daughter was born 10 weeks early and had intestinal issues that led to two surgeries at 6 days old and 2 months old. She is great now. I think everyone should really take this story for what it is: a parent whose heart is broken over the loss of his child. Is it the school's fault? No. The doll? Perhaps given the pre-existing condition of heart deformities. The parents? Take this in consideration before you answer that. As a parent, you do all that you know to do to protect your children but some things do not present themselves as true areas of concern. I would not have thought to equate a doll to massive stress and anxiety. You live and learn. Unfortunately, this family is learning in hindsight that their daughter's condition was much more progressive than known. One of the first stages of grief is denial and blame. The father is living the nightmare of this phase. He just needs his time and this too shall pass. The father may be acting irrationally but only out of his pain. Instead of criticizing the parents, try to understand their emotions and grief at this time. Pray for them.
Reply
6-10-2009 @ 10:14AM
Donna said...These people are looking for someone to sue. What a terrible legacy for their daughter's short life to cause such a stink. If she had lived long enough to get married and give birth, would her real baby get the blame for her death? Would they be able to sue it?
Reply
6-10-2009 @ 10:13AM
krissysmom said...Amen to that. No one is taking into account the emotions of dealing with the death of your YOUNG child. Well said!
Reply