An influencer and her husband have shared the heartbreaking news that their young daughter died on Christmas morning, just one year after the death of her older sister.
A Second Unimaginable Loss
Melissa Mae Carlton and Tom Carlton took to their joint Instagram page to inform their followers of the devastating loss of their youngest daughter, Molly. The tragedy occurred on 25 December, casting a shadow over the family's festive period.
In a poignant post shared on Friday, 26 December, Melissa wrote that on Christmas morning, their "sweet Molly girl, and her big sister Abi were reunited". She referred to the death of her first daughter, Abigail, who passed away in April 2024 at the age of nine following a battle with sepsis.
"This is the only thing giving me even a small sense of comfort," Melissa explained. "Molly missed her sister so deeply. She would often ask me, 'Mummy, when is Jesus coming back so Abi can come down?'"
Searching for Medical Answers
While the couple have not publicly revealed Molly’s exact age or the official cause of death, Melissa provided a significant update in a subsequent post. She explained that doctors now believe Molly had a genetic heart condition and suspect the same may have been true for Abi.
"I’m sharing this because I believe it could be critical information for families who have experienced SUDC (sudden unexpected death in children)," wrote Melissa, who is also a mother to children named Harry and Lily.
She revealed that this new understanding was possible because Molly was monitored in hospital, unlike her sister Abi. Melissa expressed that she had "never felt satisfied with the answers we were given for her." The family now believes that if Abi also had the condition, a minor illness could have triggered a sudden cardiac event.
A Traumatic Christmas Morning
Melissa recounted the traumatic events of Christmas Day, stating that Molly died after being hospitalised. She described witnessing "many small miracles" in the desperate attempt to save her daughter.
"Paramedics were stationed just three minutes away and arrived quickly," she recalled. "The pediatric trauma center was only fifteen minutes from where we were. We were in the best possible place, with everything aligned for the best conditions and the best outcome."
Despite the rapid response and expert care, Melissa shared the doctors' conclusion: "Her little body fought so hard, but we’ve been told that this type of cardiac event is, in most cases, not survivable."
A Family Shattered by Grief
The emotional toll on the family is profound. Melissa openly described their state of shock and devastation following the loss of their second child in just over a year.
"We are devastated. In disbelief. Confused and in shock," she wrote. "We are exhausted and shaken after a day filled with trauma and heartbreak. I feel numb. I cannot yet accept that this is real. I am not ready for this pain."
Melissa has often spoken about her first daughter, Abi. In May of this year, she shared a poignant post marking what should have been the little girl's tenth birthday, a milestone now forever missed.
The family's tragic story has cast a spotlight on the little-understood phenomenon of SUDC and the potential role of undiagnosed genetic heart conditions in childhood deaths.
