Family’s heartbreak as 13-month-old Leopold boy Louie William Barlow suddenly dies

A Leopold family has been left heartbroken after their 13-month-old boy suddenly died. Now the community is rallying around to help.

Louie William Barlow died suddenly on Thursday. Picture: Supplied with permission.

A heartbroken Leopold family is mourning the loss of their 13-month-old son who died suddenly this week.

Louie William Barlow was rushed to hospital on Tuesday after he woke with breathing difficulties.

He was transferred from Geelong hospital to the Royal Children’s Hospital and was later diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat, which caused irreversible brain damage.

A few hours later, the lively infant was pronounced brain dead and on Thursday life support machines were switched off.

Louie’s grandmother, Carole Vermay, said the sudden loss of the fun loving infant was heartbreaking.

“I had him at the Geelong show the week before,” she said.

“Two days before, my husband (Paul) and Louie were playing tug of war. It’s so cruel to a little man, at just 13-months.”

Ms Vermay said Louie’s parents – Alex and Jackson Barlow – were struggling to comprehend their loss.

Mrs Barlow is pregnant with the couple’s third child together and due early next year.

Ms Vermay said “nothing fazed Louie” and he had overcome significant adversity in his short life.

Louie William Barlow has died suddenly. Picture: Supplied with permission

Louie was born on September 1, 2022, with a cleft palate – which occurs when the tissue on the roof of the mouth fails to form properly during pregnancy.

He required significant surgery, but this was not his only set back.

A few weeks after birth, Louie was diagnosed with hip dysplasia – meaning his hip bones didn’t fit together properly.

Ms Vermay said her grandson was in a plaster cast for 12 weeks, had worn a brace and was just starting to recover.

“He was starting to crawl,” Ms Vermay said.

“He was rolling and saying ‘mum, mum’ and ‘dad, dad’.”

She said Louie’s name meant warrior – which he lived up to.

“You couldn’t get a child worthier of that name,” she said.

Alex and Jackson Barlow with Jack, Ollie, Beau and Louie. Picture: Supplied

Louie, who had three older brothers, loved playing with their game controllers and enjoyed spending time in his play kitchen.

Ms Vermay, who is known for her volunteer work with Feed Me Surf Coast, said she was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from the community following Louie’s death.

A fundraiser page, set up for the family, raised thousands within hours.

“Jackson is just absolutely dumbstruck at how the community can get together and that complete strangers, who don’t know him, have been so open to share,” she said.

A coroner will determine Louie’s exact cause of death.

To support the family visit gofundme.com/f/louie-william-barlow-13months

Originally published as Family’s heartbreak as 13-month-old Leopold boy Louie William Barlow suddenly dies