Tragic death of little Totty: Mom in 'indescribable pain' as 17-month-old girl drowns in blow-up spa
QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA: Tahlia Brown, the mother of Taidyn Murphy, is grieving the loss of her 17-month-old baby. Totty fell and drowned in an inflatable spa on Monday, September 19, in Queensland, Australia. In a recent interview, Tahlia's friend Alyce talked about the incident and the mother's agony of losing Totty.
Her partner Cecil Murphy, Totty's brother, and two other children were in the Gracemere home when her baby died. Unfortunately for the family, it was Totty's six-year-old brother who found his sister face down in the water. He informed the parents and they rushed to the police station with the infant.
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It was at the police station, that the toddler was given CPR, reports The Sun. Later, Totty was taken to Brisbane Children's Hospital and was immediately put into a medically induced coma. Though necessary medical support was given, little Totty died on Tuesday, September 20.
Meanwhile, in a recent interaction with Courier Mail, family friend Alyce Pocock said Tahlia personally blamed herself for the tragedy as she was out of the house at the time. Pocock said, "But I've told her that's ridiculous, she was at work providing for her family." She added, "There was no crying or screaming … she [Totty] just got up on a chair and into the spa before drowning." She was described as "sweet" and always happy to meet new people by Pocock.
Pocock also stated that the tragic death of the toddler is after a series of tragic events in Tahlia's life after her father, stepfather and grandfather died when she was a child. The family friend also claimed that the little one had only started uttering words such as "mumma", "dadda," and "puppy." "No parent should live to see their own child die … the pain is indescribable," said Pocock.
GoFundMe campaign for Totty
A GoFundMe campaign was also started by Pocock to meet her funeral expense of Totty. The campaign note read, "Hi, My name is Alyce, I am one of Leah and Cecil’s closest friends. Leah & Cecil and their entire family have suffered the most unthinkable, unimaginable, unnatural, unfair, and tragic losses anyone can. The sudden and devastating death of their sweet baby girl Taidyn 'Totty' Murphy. Totty was so suddenly taken away from her loving family on September 20th, 2022, In an awfully tragic accident that has sent nothing but pain and shock throughout the entire family."
The note then read, "In the past 48hrs we have had an overwhelming outpouring of messages of love and support and offers of how to help this beautiful grieving family. It has taken some time, and some thought with Leah and her family to allow me to open this gofundme page, as they are the most generous and giving people, this feels too unnatural for them."
It also said, "Baby Totty Girl, the shining light of Leah and Cecil's life, she truly was the happiest, sweetest, most loving baby girl to ever enter our lives.Im here to ask you all to help Leah & Cecil in the darkest days of their lives, find some peace and comfort in being able to send our sweet baby girl off in the way she deserves. A send-off fit for a princess!"
The post concluded by saying, "Leah, Cecil, and the entire family want to thank everyone in advance for the love and support you have already given. They feel so blessed to know they are surrounded by so much love." The campaign has so far reached $4,603 (AUD 7,165) raised of their $12,850 (AUD 20,000) goal. Meanwhile, her mother, Tahlia commented on the campaign by saying, "Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Both Cecil and myself are so thankful for each and every donation for our sweet baby totty girl. ❤️"