Photo: Ryan Booth
23-month-old Adilyn Booth this Christmas
Parents of a 23-month-old toddler are trying to come to terms with the death of their baby girl.
Adilynn Booth will turn 2 on February 4, 2023, but her parents are currently preparing for her funeral.
The little girl was enjoying Christmas with her parents and siblings and was showing signs of a fever and runny nose, but none of the symptoms required a visit to a doctor or emergency department.
Nina Gregoire, a member of the extended family, contacted Castanets and informed them of the tragedy.
Adilyn’s father, Ryan Booth, says that on the night of December 28, 2022, his daughter was with her grandmother and woke up feeling sick at 5:30 am. She went back to her sleep, and when her grandmother next went to check on Adilyn, she was no longer breathing.
“It started on the 27th and by the 28th she was her normal self. She didn’t have much of an appetite. She hugged a lot, got Tylenol, the fever went down and then came back a little bit. ‘ said Booth.
“There was nothing out of the ordinary that she had never experienced before. I was able to calm her down, and then at about 7:30 she realized she wasn’t breathing.”
Gregoire said, “She sniffled and had a fever and went to bed. A little child had a cold at this time and in the morning she died. It’s just a pain in the intestines.”
Gregoire describes the Booth family as “really kind people who are young and unprepared for a funeral”.
GoFundMe has already raised over $13,000 to help families cover costs and get through very difficult times.
“Christmas morning we spent as a family. Watching Alexia and Adilyn open presents, smiling, laughing and so excited about everything they opened. A wonderful relaxing day together. I did,” says the fundraiser.
“Our family never imagined that four days later our lives would change forever, not knowing that this would be our second and final Christmas with Adilyn. We have overcome this immense loss. Our hearts are broken for trying. She was such a bright, sweet girl.I was so happy and loved my dear sister Alexia with all my heart.”
Booth says an autopsy has been performed on his daughter and he hopes to have results this week.
Until they learn more about what took their daughter’s life, Booth told her parents, “Hold your loved ones tight and tell them you love them whenever you get the chance.
“I am truly grateful to the KGH staff for showing such care and concern. Thank you to everyone who sent their condolences, meals and love,” Booth said.
