An Australian couple have issued a warning to other parents after their 12-year-old daughter died two days after being diagnosed with a highly common infection.
Milla Foster’s father, Shannon Foster, and stepmother, Phoebe Kelly, began experiencing mild symptoms on October 17 After suffering a stomach bug, she was taken to Kaunda Hospital, about an hour’s drive north of Adelaide.
Shannon told 9News she was diagnosed there with gastroenteritis – a rare and fatal viral infection that causes vomiting and diarrhea – and was given medication before being sent home about an hour and a half later.
Although her health appeared to be improving, the couple said their daughter died suddenly on October 19.
“You don’t think a stomach bug could be fatal, especially in someone so young and so healthy,” said Phoebe, who urged other parents not to ignore their instincts. “Even if the doctor says you might be paranoid or you’re just being overly cautious, listen to it because it’s there for a reason.”
Shannon told the publication that he has received many heartfelt messages from the 12-year-old’s friends and is still “waiting to wake up and see her.”
Community rallies around family
The heartbroken dad created a GoFundMe to help give his “really good girl” a lovely send-off.
“Our beautiful 12-year-old daughter Mira Foster passed away suddenly after a short illness,” he wrote in the fundraiser. “We have been deeply affected by her death and we are reaching out to anyone in the community to help with the unexpected funding issues we will face in the next week or so.
“We miss you so much Mila and love you forever. Her memory will live on through her mother Denise, father Shannon, stepmother Phoebe and her four siblings Jayden, Zaria, Jackson and Brooklyn. “
Friends, family and the local community have helped raise more than $22,000 so far.
South Australian Health Minister Chris Picton promised 9 News that Kapunda Hospital and SA Health will fully cooperate with the autopsy investigation.
Do you have a story tip? e-mail: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.
You can also follow us Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok, Twitter and Youtube.