The parents of a 23-month-old toddler are trying to come to grips with the passing of their baby girl.
Addilyn Booth would have turned two years old on Feb. 4, 2023, but now her parents are making funeral preparations.
The little girl enjoyed Christmas with her parents and sibling and had been showing signs of a fever and a runny nose, but nothing that rose to the level of a visit to the doctor or the emergency department.
Nina Gregoire, member of the extended family, reached out to Castanet to let us know about the tragedy, "I think it's just one of those very sad situations — nobody knows exactly what the cause of death is yet or anything."
Addilyn's father, Ryan Booth, says his daughter was with her grandmother overnight on Dec. 28, 2022, and she woke up at 5:30 a.m. not feeling well. She went back to sleep and when the grandmother next went to check on Addilyn, she was no longer breathing.
"It started on the 27th, on the 28th she was her normal self. She just didn't have much of an appetite. She did lots of cuddling, she got some Tylenol and the fever broke, and then came back a little bit," Booth said.
"It wasn't anything out of the ordinary that she hasn't done before. She woke up at about 5:40 a.m (Dec. 29) fussing. My mother-in-law was able to get her settled back down. Then about 7:30, she realized that she (Addilyn) wasn't breathing."
Gregoire says, "she went to bed with sniffles and fever, a little kid cold this time of year, and in the morning, she was passed. It's just gut-wrenching."
Gregoire describes the Booth family as, "really sweet people who are young and not prepared for a funeral."
A GoFundMe has already raised more than $13,000 to help the family cover expenses and get through a very difficult time.
"On Christmas morning we spent it as a family, watching Alexia and Addilyn open their gifts, smiling, laughing, absolutely thrilled over everything they opened. It was a beautiful relaxing day together," the fundraiser says.
"Our family never imagined that our lives would change forever four days later, not knowing this was our second and final Christmas with Addilyn. Our hearts are broken trying to navigate this unfathomable loss. She was such a radiant, sweet girl. Addy brought us so much joy, and loved her dear sister Alexia with her entire being."
Booth says an autopsy is being performed on his daughter and they hope to have the results this week.
Until they know more about what claimed their daughter's life Booth is urging parents to, "hold your loved ones tight, tell them you love them every chance you get.
"We are incredibly grateful to the staff at KGH who showed such compassion and care. Thank you to everyone who has sent condolences, meals, and love," Booth said.
