A teenager whose aunt was murdered and whose mother died from cancer has suffered a third tragedy after losing her baby. Sophie Robinson was around 25 weeks pregnant when she discovered the devastating news at a scan.
The 17-year-old had already named her son Arlo and was excited about becoming a mum. But at her scan last Wednesday, she was given the heartbreaking update. It is the latest in a series of distressing incidents for the family over the past 12 years, the Liverpool Echo reports.
Family's history of loss
In July 2014, Sophie's aunt Sharon Winters was murdered in north Liverpool. Kevin Hawke was jailed for life in October 2014 for murdering Sharon in her flat on County Road, Walton. In 2019, Sophie's mother Helen Robinson died from lung cancer, aged 46.
Speaking with Sophie's permission, her father Steve Robinson, 56, 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."
Devastating scan result
Steve, from Woodchurch, Wirral, said the family are now making arrangements for Arlo's funeral. "We went for a scan a couple of weeks ago to find out what sex the bay was, and everything seemed ok," he said. "Then we went to Arrowe Park [Hospital] for a scan 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."
"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."
Impact on the family
The loss of Helen and Sharon hugely affected the family too. 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."
"[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."
Fundraiser for funeral
Steve is hoping a fundraiser will be able to 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 has received from the Butterfly Suite at Arrowe Park, a specialised bereavement unit for parents who experience baby loss. Steve 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."
