Within days, she lost her voice and struggled to breathe, but again, medical staff assured her parents it wasn’t serious. Her condition worsened rapidly. By the time she was rushed to Westmead Children’s Hospital, it was too late. A throat swab finally revealed the true cause: Group A Streptococcus (Strep A) — a common, treatable infection in children.
Cassie was declared brain dead on August 28, 2023. Her death was entirely preventable. A simple throat swab…
After Doctors Misdiagnosed Her with a Cold, a 5-Year-Old Girl Died from a Treatable Illness. Cassie, a bright and energetic 5-year-old, began showing mild symptoms: a sore throat and raspy voice. Doctors dismissed it as a viral infection and sent her home without testing for bacterial causes.
Within days, she lost her voice and struggled to breathe, but again, medical staff assured her parents it wasn’t serious. Her condition worsened rapidly. By the time she was rushed to Westmead Children’s Hospital, it was too late. A throat swab finally revealed the true cause: Group A Streptococcus (Strep A) — a common, treatable infection in children.
Cassie was declared brain dead on August 28, 2023. Her death was entirely preventable. A simple throat swab and antibiotics could have saved her. In her memory, her parents donated her organs, saving three other children’s lives on Jersey Day, Australia’s organ donation awareness day.
Now, her family is raising awareness, urging parents to trust their instincts and push for proper testing. Cassie’s story is a tragic reminder that common infections can become deadly if ignored — and that vigilance in pediatric care is essential.
