Sophie Robinson, 17, from Woodchurch, has suffered the loss of her baby boy, Arlo, who died before birth at around 25 weeks of pregnancy. The baby's death was discovered during a scan at Arrowe Park Hospital last week. Her father, Steve Robinson, 56, and the family are now arranging Arlo's funeral.
This is the latest in a series of tragedies for the family. As the ECHO previously reported, Sophie's mum died in 2019 from lung cancer, aged 46. In 2014, her auntie Sharon Winters was murdered in her County Road flat in July 2014 by Kevin Hawke, who was jailed for life in October 2014.
Dad speaks of 'hell' of recent years
Speaking to the ECHO with his daughter's permission, Steve said: "I'm just trying to do my best as a dad. I just don't know what to do. For the last few years, it's just been hell, to be honest."
On the death of baby Arlo, Steve said: "We went for a scan a couple of weeks ago to find out what sex the baby was, and everything seemed ok. Then we went to Arrowe Park for a scan (on Wednesday last week) and they said, unfortunately, the baby's dead. Then we had to go back two days later. She had to give birth to a baby."
Family's earlier losses
Steve described the moment of the birth: "When the baby was born, oh my God, it was devastating. She just wouldn't let go of the baby. It's just devastating. She's been through a lot."
The loss of Helen and Sharon also hugely affected the family. Steve said: "Sophie took it really badly. She got through it. I just don't know what's going to happen now, to be honest. When her mum died, I had to retire. I had quite bad health myself to be honest.
"My sister was kind, sweet and would give her last pound to help someone else. I found out about my sister while checking the football scores online and saw something about a woman getting murdered. Then the police came and spoke to me."
Fundraiser for funeral and tribute
Steve added: "(Sophie) was quite close to Sharon, so it took a long time to get over that as well. It just seems like it's one thing after another. She's never been given a break in her life."
Steve hopes a fundraiser will pay for a coffin for the baby and a remembrance plaque in a local park. He said: "I'm just trying to do my best, to get a decent coffin, things like that. I've not slept, and I'm sure Sophie hasn't either. Sophie wants to carry the coffin herself as well, which is quite brave of her."
Steve also praised the support the family received from the Butterfly Suite at Arrowe Park, a specialised bereavement unit for parents who experience baby loss. He said: "I can't fault them. They're just absolutely amazing at what they do. The staff are so good. To be honest after the fundraiser, I would like to either buy them something that they'll need or give them a donation."
