Baby, aged 3, had severe cerebral palsy, requiring 24/7 high-level support. She lived with her biological mother and siblings. Between September 2020 and May 2021, Child Protection received multiple reports regarding her mother’s ability to provide care.
In May 2021, a Protection Application led to Baby being placed on a Care by Secretary Order. She then lived with a foster family, receiving NDIS support. Around July 2023, the foster family could no longer provide care. A support worker became Baby's kinship carer under the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing.
In mid-2024, Baby experienced several seizures and Ambulance Victoria visits. She was prescribed antibiotics. Weeks later, she was restless, vocalising discomfort, and her kinship carer suctioned her airways. Later that day, Baby became drowsy with laboured breathing. Emergency services were contacted.
Baby was transported to Bendigo Base Hospital, then the Royal Children's Hospital Intensive Care Unit. Her condition fluctuated, and seizures continued. Clinicians discussed her declining prognosis with her kinship carer. Twenty days after admission, Baby died peacefully in her kinship carer’s arms.
I would be interested to understand how the Department ensures continuity of high-level care when foster arrangements cease.
The cause of death was complications from severe cerebral palsy.