Tragedy Strikes: A Button Battery Claims the Life of a Young Child - Insights from Her Grieving Mother

A small button battery, no larger than a dime, led to an unimaginable tragedy for a loving family. This battery took the life of 17-month-old Lily Marie Thompson, lovingly called LiLi by her family. In the wake of this heart-wrenching loss, her mother, Sarah Thompson, has dedicated herself to preventing similar tragedies from occurring in other homes.

Misdiagnosis and Missing Battery

In late October, Lily started to wheeze and lost her appetite. Her parents took her to the pediatrician, who diagnosed her with croup, unaware that button battery ingestion is often confused with this condition. The following day, Sarah noticed a button battery was missing. Panicked, they rushed to the emergency room. “We had to be sure it wasn’t there,” Sarah shared. Unfortunately, it was.

An X-ray confirmed the presence of the battery, leading to an emergency surgery to remove it. After a few days in the hospital, Lily was discharged and placed on a liquid diet. “It was difficult to watch her go from a good eater to only having liquids. We tried to eat in separate areas so she wouldn’t see us,” Sarah recalled. However, the liquid diet was the least of their concerns.

Within days, Sarah returned to the emergency room on the surgeon’s advice, who suspected the battery had caused harm. A CT scan revealed a fistula—a dangerous hole formed in her trachea and esophagus. “This allowed air to go where it shouldn’t, and food and drinks also went the wrong way,” Sarah explained.

The discovery of the fistula was just the beginning of a series of surgeries, a transfer to a larger hospital, and a team of specialists, all of which ultimately failed to save Lily. Tragically, she passed away on December 17, 2020, leaving her family devastated. “I’ll never forget holding her. I hadn’t gotten that chance until then,” Sarah lamented.

Raising Awareness About Button Battery Ingestions

Button batteries are commonly found in household items like remote controls, toys, and greeting cards. According to Sarah, around 3,200 button battery ingestions are reported annually, but she believes the actual number is likely much higher. “Only 11 percent of ingestions are reported, so it could be closer to 30,000 each year,” she added.

These ingestions are difficult to diagnose; children may not exhibit symptoms, or they may present as common infections, just as Lily’s croup was misidentified. However, button batteries can burn tissue in just two hours, leading to severe injuries or death. Sarah urges parents to seek immediate medical attention if they suspect their child has ingested a button battery.

Transforming Grief into Advocacy

From the outset, Sarah felt compelled to advocate for child safety. Along with a dedicated group of supporters she calls “Lily’s champions,” she founded a nonprofit named Lily’s Legacy. The organization works to raise awareness among health professionals and parents, offer financial aid to affected families, and push for legislative changes to prevent future tragedies. One of their goals is to implement secure closures that necessitate a secondary device to access battery compartments.

“I think about what Lily would want, and that fuels my mission,” she explained. Recently, June 12 was declared “Button Battery Awareness Day.” On this day, and every day, families are encouraged to conduct a “Button Battery Search and Clean Out” to secure their homes.

“Every parent should support this legislation. When it’s time to address Congress, call your local representatives and advocate for the bill. It could save lives,” Sarah emphasized.

A Life Cut Short

Sarah describes Lily as a spirited child with limitless potential. “We were excited to see the impact she would have on the world,” she said. The tragedy of Lily’s passing serves as a stark reminder of how quickly life can change, and how a single moment, coupled with a seemingly innocuous object, can lead to devastating consequences.

For more insights, check out this other article for related information. You can also explore this resource for more on home insemination kits and this excellent resource for pregnancy-related services.

Possible Search Queries:

Summary:

The heart-wrenching story of Lily Marie Thompson’s tragic death from button battery ingestion has prompted her mother, Sarah, to advocate for safety awareness and legislative changes. Families are urged to recognize the dangers of button batteries, seek immediate medical attention if ingested, and actively participate in awareness campaigns to prevent future tragedies.

Tragedy Strikes: A Button Battery Claims the Life of a Young Child – Insights from Her Grieving Mother