Family mourn loss of ‘healthy’ toddler who suddenly died

A family’s nightmare became reality last week when their toddler died within hours of seeming completely happy and healthy.

A family’s nightmare became reality last week when their toddler died within hours of seeming completely happy and healthy.

A mere few hours separated Louie William Barlow from being a seemingly healthy toddler to being pronounced brain dead, leaving his parents facing their “worst nightmare”.

The 13-month-old boy woke up Tuesday morning having trouble breathing and was rushed to Victoria’s Geelong hospital before being taken to the Royal Children’s Hospital.

Louie was diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat which caused irreversible brain damage and only a few hours later, he was pronounced brain dead.

Machines keeping him alive were ultimately switched off on Thursday.

A family’s nightmare became reality last week when their toddler died within hours of seeming completely happy and healthy.

His grandma Carole Vermay described the tragic and sudden turn of events as “cruel”.

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

“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.”

In his short life, he had overcome significant health complications, including surgery to correct the cleft palate he was born with.

He was also born with hip dysplasia and was in a plaster cast for 12 weeks, having only just started to recover.

Ms Vermay said Louie had begun crawling, rolling and saying, “mum, mum” and “dad, dad”.

He had three older brothers and his parents, Alex and Jackson Barlow, are expecting a baby early next year.

A family’s nightmare became reality last week when their toddler died within hours of seeming completely happy and healthy.

A GoFundMe has been set up to support the family as they navigate their loss.

Ms Vermay added that Louie had loved playing in his play kitchen and with his brother’s game controllers.

In response to the fundraiser, which has raised more than $30,000, Louie was described as “such a gorgeous little boy, taken far too soon”.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this time. We are so incredibly sorry for the loss of such a beautiful soul,” another donor wrote.

The details regarding Louie’s cause of death would be determined by a coroner.