Penelope Campbell, three, died on July 7 last year. Beside herself with grief, footage shows a distressed mum saying a final goodbye to her three-year-old daughter Penelope – a single, rainbow teddy bear perched on her casket.
Seven months later, Breannon Campbell, 24, and her husband, Jack Campbell, 25, have been charged over her death – as police allege her death was caused by negligence, Daily Mail reported.
The couple are accused of failing to provide care to Penelope, who died at Townsville University Hospital on July 7 last year, and was farewelled by mourners dressed in green – believed to be her favourite colour some 20 days later.
The toddler lived with inherited disorder known as Medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency – or MCADD – a condition where sufferers struggle to break down fats and have low blood sugar.
Video shows mourners gathered at Woongarra Crematorium Chapel, in the suburb of Julago, to say their goodbyes to the ‘brave, fearless and loving’ little girl.
Delivering their eulogy, the three-year-old’s aunts fought back tears as they recalled how the little girl was ‘thriving’ despite her condition and ‘never once considered herself any different from others.’
‘Baby girl, you can rest peacefully now,’ her aunt said. ‘And know we are all here to live every day in your name.’
Queensland Police will allege Penelope’s condition was completely treatable and her death was the result of neglect.
‘This was a totally survivable medical condition,’ Detective Senior Sergeant David Miles said on Tuesday.
‘Our case is that this child should not have died from this condition [and] this is a case of negligence on behalf of the family.’
Senior Sergeant Miles said the young girl had a ‘very detailed treatment plan’ that needed to be followed in certain circumstances.
‘There was a whole range of medical professionals for the family to access,’ he said.
‘This happened on a number of occasions and the parents responded appropriately, on this occasion, however, they haven’t done so and the child deteriorated over a period of 24 hours and that resulted in the child’s death,’ he claimed.
The couple, who have been charged with manslaughter, will face Townsville Magistrates Court on February 13.
