The heartbreaking story of Lila
Lila Marsland: A Preventable Tragedy
Five-year-old Lila Marsland, full of joy and energy, tragically died after falling ill during a family walk on December 27, 2023. Her mother, nurse Rachael Mincherton, noticed serious symptoms like “headache, vomiting, lethargy, and neck pain,” signs of meningitis, but despite her concerns, Lila was discharged with suspected tonsillitis.
Rachael said, “I felt reassured by them, to be honest,” trusting the medical staff. The next morning, she found Lila unresponsive and called emergency services, but it was too late. “I knew she’d been dead for quite some time,” Rachael recalled.
A post-mortem confirmed Lila died from pneumococcal meningitis, which “would have been prevented” if treated early. The jury ruled her death as “neglect.” Rachael said, “We are now left with the devastating loss of our daughter for the rest of our lives.”
