Community rallies around Bellingen family after heartbreaking death of infant son

A heartbroken Coffs Coast family who were already grappling with grief have suffered another devastating blow after the shock death of their infant son. Warning: Distressing content

The Hoban family, Charles and Bob (back), George, Madeleine, Arthur and baby Albert (deceased) at Coffs Harbour Health Campus in 2022. Photo: Lyss from Heartfelt

Warning: This story may be distressing for some readers.

When Bellingen couple Madeleine and Evan ‘Bob’ Hoban held their “special” baby Freddie for the first time, to say they were thrilled was an understatement.

After a string of fertility struggles, including losing their baby Albert on Boxing Day in 2022 at full term, then suffering two further miscarriages, baby Freddie was a miracle bub for the couple.

But tragically their period of joy soon turned to worry and then crushing heartbreak in a mere matter of weeks.

Freddie’s story began on September 16 at Coffs Harbour Hospital when he was born at 37 weeks. After a few days, he went home with Madeleine, 35 and Bob, 32.

Proud parents, Madeleine and Bob Hoban with their much loved “special boy” Freddie Hoban.

“He was gorgeous, so loved and so wanted. It was such a mission to get him here, and we thought everything was going to be okay,” Ms Hoban tearfully told this publication.

A few days later, when Freddie appeared to stop breathing, the quick thinking parents had him rushed to Bellingen Hospital.

Freddie Hoban was born at Coffs Harbour Health Campus on 16 September.

After a series of neonatal interventions he ended up at John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle and was diagnosed with sepsis and meningitis.

“We had a week of hope when we found out he had sepsis and meningitis— a whole week of thinking he was going to get better,” Ms Hoban said.

Unfortunately despite treatment, Freddie kept having seizures that could not be kept under control. He died on October 8, leaving his parents “beyond devastated’.

“There’s nothing worse than leaving hospital empty-handed for the second time,” Mr Hoban said.

Freddie Hoban received neonatal care in John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle.

The couple searched for answers, saying their life had “fallen apart”.

“The medical staff described it as being really unlucky and that’s the same reason we were given for Albert,” Ms Hoban said.

Back in Bellingen, the couple are faced with the difficulty of being at home and carrying on with their daily lives.

Mr Hoban said “half the town” had rallied around the family as they have returned from Ronald McDonald House back to Bellingen, but more help was needed.

“It’s hard watching everyone continue on with their life and yours is just falling apart,” Ms Hoban said.

The couple are looking for continued support through an ongoing GoFundMe as they take pause to focus on their mental health.

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Originally published as Community rallies around Bellingen family after heartbreaking death of infant son