Freelance Writer
The autopsy done on Ariah Sheppard on Monday at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex revealed that the three-year-old Sea Lots toddler died from aspiration pneumonitis—inhalation of vomit. However, a further histopathologic evaluation to look for changes in cells is needed to determine exactly what led to her death.
Little Ariah died last week Tuesday at the Toco Health Facility after falling ill at her grandmother’s house in Matelot where she and her siblings were spending the school vacation. Her relatives have blamed a poor ambulance service in the community for her death, saying there was no response to their repeated calls for an emergency vehicle.
The toddler’s mother, Keshia Roland, said Ariah was active and had not shown any signs of illness before the episode that led to her death. She denied claims that her daughter had been ailing for six days.
Ariah’s autopsy was delayed on Friday because of two tests which had to be done before the autopsy, relatives said.
Her aunt, Lana Alfred, said the family is upset and disappointed about the response of the Eastern Regional Health Authority (ERHA).
She said the toddler had been in Matelot for only three days.
“So where ERHA got the info that she was ailing for six days?” she asked.
According to relatives, when Ariah began vomiting, experiencing shortness of breath and sweating, they called for emergency assistance which never arrived. She was eventually taken to the health facility in a neighbour’s van but died soon after.
The ERHA extended condolences and offered counselling to the bereaved family but according to Alfred, all they have received so far from the ERHA was a telephone call yesterday morning informing relatives that they will be visiting.
Ariah’s funeral takes place tomorrow at St Francis RC Church in Sangre Grande at 10 am, following which she will be laid to rest at the Turure Cemetery in Guaico.
