A mother-of-three who suffered a miscarriage at home claims she was instructed to keep her baby in the fridge for nine days after three ambulances failed to attend. Sheree Chanelle Wakeford-Knight, 30, and her partner Hassan Niyazi, 38, found out they were expecting their first child together in February 2026.
The Ordeal Begins
In early April, Sheree started experiencing bleeding during her pregnancy. She says she reached out to the early pregnancy unit, only to be told it was shut due to the bank holiday and was advised to wait until her scheduled appointment on 8 April at the Royal London Hospital.
The bleeding persisted, and on 8 April she attended the hospital for a scan. She claims a nurse informed her there was no indication of any problems and that the baby appeared to be healthy.
Emergency Calls Unanswered
On 13 April, while at home with her family, Sheree says she began suffering severe pain and heavy bleeding. Her partner claims he rang for an ambulance three times and called 111 on multiple occasions, but says no assistance ever arrived.
At 3.30am, Sheree miscarried at around two months pregnant and pushed out the baby. She also claims she was advised to place the foetus in a fridge until she was able to bring it to hospital.
Trauma and Distress
Sheree, a shop worker from Bethnal Green, London, said: "When we went to take my baby to the hospital, I opened the fridge and I could smell a rotting smell. Since then, I have smelled that smell every time I open the fridge."
"No matter how hard I have scrubbed, every time I open I smell my decomposed baby. I've not been the same since that day, I am traumatised."
After discovering she was pregnant with her fourth child, Sheree said she suffered severe bleeding. However, following a scan at Royal London Hospital, a nurse reassured her that her baby was healthy and breathing.
"They couldn't see any evidence of why I was bleeding," Sheree said. "She said my baby was fine, he was breathing, and he looked healthy."
Two days later, Sheree said she rang the hospital to report that her bleeding had worsened. She claims she was told there was nothing to be concerned about and to wait until her 12-week scan on April 29.
However, on April 13, the situation deteriorated dramatically, and Sheree began to feel seriously unwell. Sheree, who opened up about her ordeal with Talk to the Press, said: "I was lying with my youngest son, and I was feeling a really strong pain."
"It became so severe, the bleeding was worse and worse, but they told me there was nothing to worry about, so I thought my baby was fine."
"We called the ambulance at around 11am as I was shaking uncontrollably. We had also called 111, and they said someone would call us back, but nobody did."
Desperate Pleas for Help
Hassan claims he called an ambulance a further two times and pleaded for assistance, but says he was told paramedics were too stretched to respond. At around midnight, Sheree said she began experiencing "pushing motions", prompting Hassan to call 999 once more.
He claims the operator instructed him to walk to the hospital — yet at this stage, Sheree could hardly move.
"I was going in and out of consciousness, and I could barely walk," Sheree said. "I was bleeding so bad at this point, I soaked through two massive towels, tea towels and kitchen roll. My blood was everywhere."
At approximately 3.30am, Sheree said she stood up and felt a "big gush", looked down, and discovered her baby on the floor on a towel. The couple were reportedly informed that the hospital had no facility to store the foetus until April 22.
Following a further phone call, they claim they were advised to place it in the fridge before being permitted to bring their baby in nine days later.
Hassan, a painter and decorator, said: "I have never experienced anything like this in my life. Seeing our baby's heartbeat for the final time really traumatised me."
"We called the hospital so many times, we called the ambulance, but nobody was willing to help. We're traumatised, the NHS didn't bother to help us when we needed them."
Finally Seeking Help
On April 22, Sheree and Hassan made their way to Royal London Hospital, bringing their baby, whom they had kept in a box in the fridge. Upon arrival, Sheree underwent a scan and pregnancy test, which confirmed she had suffered a miscarriage.
Sheree said: "I was in floods of tears when I handed the box over to the nurse. How many mums and dads have had to go through the same thing? I don't want another parent to smell the smell I have."
"You could see our baby's little arms and legs. Regardless of how old the pregnancy is, I should not have had to go through that."
A spokesperson at Barts Health NHS Trust said: "We are deeply sorry for Ms Wakeford-Knight's loss and are committed to ensuring that she receives the care that she needs with empathy, compassion and dignity."
"We encourage patients who are concerned or unhappy with their care to contact our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) or they can raise a formal complaint to be investigated."
