Leonardo Souza, known as Leo, was 16 months old when he died in his sleep on January 1, 2024. His parents, Anya Sousa and Hugo Sousa, had noticed only mild cold symptoms, including a runny nose and low energy. A post-mortem in May 2024 revealed Streptococcus A in his blood.
Family's Nightmare Unfolds
Anya Sousa, 41, a beauty therapist from Sheffield, described Leo as a “very easy and happy baby.” The family had returned from a holiday in Portugal in late December 2023, and everyone had colds. On New Year's Eve, Leo was “a bit quiet” at the park but otherwise seemed fine. He vomited after dinner, which Anya attributed to his congestion. She gave him milk later, and he was “absolutely fine.”
The next morning, Anya's mother, Diane Middleton, who was caring for Leo and his sister Sienna, found Leo unresponsive. Sienna, then six, had come to Diane saying she could not wake Leo. Diane called emergency services and performed CPR as instructed.
Paramedics and Hospital
Paramedics arrived and continued resuscitation. Anya and Hugo received a call from a paramedic saying Leo was not breathing. They drove to the scene within 10 minutes, finding the road cordoned off and Leo already in the ambulance. Hugo said he “just froze.” Anya recalled: “I remember being next to my son and I’ve never seen a dead body before, let alone my own child.”
At the hospital, they were allowed to see Leo. Anya said she tried to hold him but “completely freaked out” and felt guilty. Hugo described it as his “worst nightmare.” Telling family left him “broken” as they screamed on the phone.
Post-Mortem Findings
An initial post-mortem found no obvious cause like choking or heart problems. In May 2024, a coroner's report detected Streptococcus A in Leo's blood. A pathologist told Anya that Leo “should have been a lot more ill” with more symptoms. The NHS states Strep A typically causes mild illness but can become serious.
Raising Awareness and Funds
After Leo's death, the couple connected with SUDC UK, a charity supporting families after sudden unexpected child death. They received counselling and found it helpful. On July 4, 2026, they completed a 50km Ultra Challenge Walk in the Peak District, raising £10,000. Anya said the walk was “a real struggle” and emotional, especially carrying Leo's favourite Mickey Mouse teddy. Hugo looked to the sky and said, “I love you.”
Anya emphasised: “We did this to support other families that are affected. I think the main thing we want to do is to raise awareness, increase funding for research, and for more people to know that support is there.”
