Melissa Mae Carlton, a social media influencer, has disclosed that she and her husband Tom have received a diagnosis for their late daughter Molly, approximately four months after her sudden death on Christmas morning. The tragedy occurred less than two years after the passing of their daughter Abigail, aged nine, in April 2024, which was primarily attributed to sepsis.
In a post shared with her 152,000 followers, Carlton explained that Molly was diagnosed with a rare genetic mitochondrial condition known as PPA2. 'We have learned that Molly had a rare genetic mitochondrial condition called PPA2,' she said, 'and we are almost certain Abigail had it as well.' She described the condition as 'not a structural heart issue, but a failure of energy at the cellular level, which can cause sudden cardiac events in children who otherwise appear completely healthy.'
Carlton emphasized that PPA2 is 'considered extremely rare, but it is also significantly under-tested,' and suggested it is often overlooked by the medical community. 'I believe there are many sudden, unexplained child deaths that go undiagnosed,' she added. 'Most families only learn about PPA2 after a tragedy and that needs to change.'
The family is 'still in the middle of testing' and Carlton asked for 'your prayers as we wait for those results.' She expressed feelings of betrayal and disbelief, saying, 'To lose a child and then 18 months later, on Christmas Day, for it to be happening again, I just kept thinking, "Why would God allow this to happen to us again?"'
Recalling the day of Molly's passing, Carlton described a 'really long day at the trauma center' where doctors could not determine the problem. She thought, 'She’s going to wake up and tell me she’s been with Abbi, and it’s all going to be OK - and it’s going to be this amazing miracle.' However, 'doctors tried all day to help her body recover from this cardiac event, but ultimately could not keep her with us.'
Carlton and her husband left the hospital 'completely shell-shocked and terrified knowing that we had to go back and tell our now two children that they just lost another sister.' She admitted wrestling with her faith: 'Losing one child felt impossible… losing two felt cruel. There are still many moments I struggle with this. I still don’t understand.'
Nevertheless, she is trying to hold onto her religious beliefs, stating, 'That we are children of a loving Heavenly Father, that we lived with Him before, and that we chose to come to earth and experience a fallen world to learn and become more like Him, with the promise that all things will be made right and that families are eternal.'
Carlton had previously announced Molly's death on Instagram on December 26, writing, 'On Christmas morning, our sweet Molly girl, and her big sister Abi were reunited.' She added, 'This is the only thing giving me even a small sense of comfort. Molly missed her sister so deeply. She would often ask me, "Mummy, when is Jesus coming back so Abi can come down?"'
Hours later, she provided more details, noting that doctors believed Molly had a genetic heart condition and suspected the same for Abigail. She stressed the importance of sharing this information for families who have experienced sudden unexpected death in children (SUDC). 'This understanding came because Molly was able to be monitored in the hospital, which we were not able to do with Abi. I’ve never felt satisfied with the answers we were given for her.'
Molly died on Christmas Day after a sudden hospitalization. Carlton recalled small miracles: paramedics arrived quickly, and the pediatric trauma center was only 15 minutes away. 'Her little body fought so hard, but we’ve been told that this type of cardiac event is, in most cases, not survivable.'
The influencer, who runs a faith-inspired art shop, has previously spoken candidly about Abigail's death. In May, she shared a video reel of Abigail, reflecting on the sudden nature of her passing. The child had been happy and playing the day before, but by morning, she had stomach pain and vomiting, and within three hours, she was gone.
Carlton admitted that grief has affected her ability to appear 'strong' online. 'The truth is, it really, really sucks. I hate it. I miss her so much. It’s "supposed" to be the happiest time of year, but it just hurts,' she wrote recently. She also shared that she no longer wants a picture-perfect holiday, preferring a cozy home with clear evidence that children live there. Family traditions now include making 'Abi angels' and hanging childhood ornaments on the tree.
