Born healthy and happy on July 1, Nicole and Shane Sifrit’s sweet little princess Mariana only lived to be just 18 days old.
Everything was going along just fine, until the baby’s health suddenly took a turn. On July 7th, they took her to the hospital, and that’s when every new parent’s worst nightmares began coming true. She had somehow contracted viral meningitis, they learned, and doctors said her life was depending on the liver repairing itself. But instead of getting better, things got worse. By Monday, Mariana had lost almost all functions – her brain, lungs, heart, kidney, liver were all deteriorating. Doctors told the couple to prepare to say goodbye to the precious angel they just met.
The next morning would be her last, as Nicole shared in a heartbreaking Facebook post: “She is no longer suffering and is with the Lord.”
https://www.facebook.com/nicole.sifrit/posts/491958194469860
Incredibly, the most likely way Mariana came down with the virus was from a friend or family member giving the baby a well intentioned kiss. Now, the grieving parents are making sure others know how to prevent such a horrible tragedy from ever happening again.
Here’s more:
“It’s hard to pinpoint exactly how she caught the virus. But it’s important people are cautious when they let anyone handle their babies. Keep your babies isolated,” warns the infant’s mother, Nicole Sifrit, of Des Moines, Iowa. “Don’t let just anyone come visit them. Make sure they are constantly washing their hands. Don’t let people kiss your baby and make sure they ask before they pick up your baby.”
There is a GoFundme account that has been set up to help the family through this difficult time. They also incurred some hefty expenses as Mariana had to be airlifted to Des Moines. If you feel led to help this family, check out their GoFundMe page HERE.