‘Our beautiful little girl’: SA community rallies behind family of Dakota Nenke, who died after contracting Covid

Ryan Nenke has paid tribute to his darling daughter Dakota, a twin who died after contracting Covid, as an online fundraiser for the family is flooded with donations.

The family of a baby who died with Covid-19 are unbearably devastated, but friends and strangers alike are rallying behind them with an online fundraiser.

Dakota Nenke was just 13 months old when she died unexpectedly in her sleep on December 28. She tested positive to Covid-19 but the cause of her death is unknown and a report is being prepared for the Coroner.

Her father, Ryan Nenke, described her as a “beautiful little girl”.

“She was a beautiful 13-month little girl with a sassy personality and had been walking for the last month,” he said.

A fundraiser has been created for Dakota’s parents, Ryan and his partner Karly Conry, and her three siblings.

“Their darling 13-month-old Dakota grew her wings and went to heaven,” the GoFundMe page reads.

“She went to bed as per normal the night before and unexpectedly passed hours later.

“Rest peacefully our beautiful Dakota bear.”

The Advertiser is publishing this article with the permission of Dakota’s family, who were appreciative of the community’s support.

Dakota Nenke died aged 13 months.

Dakota’s dad said she was a sassy little girl who had recently started to walk.

Ryan Nenke and Karly Conry with their children Kylan, four, Ella, six, and twins Hallie and Dakota, one. This picture was supplied by the family.

The fundraiser was created on Monday night, and over 400 people had already donated more than $30,000 by Tuesday evening.

Organiser Brooke Page said the money raised would help the family with life expenses.

“Dakota leaves behind her three siblings who all loved and adored her beyond measure,” Ms Page wrote.

“Karly and Ryan are now having to navigate their grief, organise a funeral for their baby girl and worry about finances during this time.

“We would like to raise some money to make this family feel comfortable with not going back to work straight away, giving them time to mourn for their sudden loss, help them with their life expenses and spend time with their children and loved ones.”

Dakota died at 13 months old and subsequently tested positive to Covid-19. Picture: The family

Dakota is believed to be the youngest person in the nation to die after becoming infected with the virus.

A Covid-positive child died in Victoria in November but health authorities have not disclosed their age.

Many donors to the GoFundMe appeal posted messages in “Kota Bear’s” memory, including one who said she would be forever missed.

“She is now being looked after by our other angels, Luke and Nanna,” that message said.

Another woman sent love and strength to Dakota’s family.

“Forever young, forever loved, rest easy beautiful girl,” she wrote.

Dakota was South Australia’s sixth recorded death of someone with Covid-19 since the start of the pandemic.

No details were released on whether she had any other medical conditions.

At a media briefing on Tuesday, Premier Steven Marshall said parents could best protect their families by getting vaccinated themselves, and vaccinating their children when eligible.

“The best thing parents can do who are concerned is to make sure that they’re fully vaccinated, with boosters as well, because there is a big transfer of infections from parents to children,” he said.

“I think yesterday I talked about an expert group that we’ve pulled together in South Australia to provide us with further details on the effects of Omicron on younger populations.

“It’s basically all hands on deck doing everything we can at the moment to learn more about Omicron, in particular the effects on children.”

Mr Marshall – who announced Dakota’s death last Thursday – said the hospitalisation of children was one of the first things he checked each day.

“I’m very pleased that it hasn’t increased, I think we had one in and one out yesterday (Monday), so it’s sitting at five at the moment,” he said.

“(Dakota’s) family is obviously in a great deal of distress at the moment. It’s a very sad set of circumstances. My condolences to the family. It’s a very tough time.”

Police will prepare a report for the Coroner, who will determine whether an inquest is necessary.

Make a donation to the GoFundMe appeal for Dakota’s family here.