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A young couple have been charged after allegedly allowing their daughter to die from a ‘totally survivable’ illness.
Breannon, 24, and Jack Campbell, 25, are accused of failing to provide the necessities of life to their daughter Penelope, three, after she died at Townsville University Hospital on July 7 last year.
According to posts online, the toddler lived with inherited disorder known as Medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency – or MCADD – a diabetes-like condition where sufferers struggle to break down fats and have low blood sugar.
Days before the couple was arrested, Ms Campbell penned a heartfelt post thanking her supporters for ‘staying with her during the most difficult year of her life’.
Police will allege Penelope’s condition was completely treatable and her death was the result of neglect.
Penelope Campbell, three, (pictured) died in Townsville University Hospital on 7 July, 2022
‘This was a totally survivable medical condition,’ Detective Senior Sergeant David Miles claimed to reporters.
‘Our case is that this child should not have died from this condition [and] this is a case of negligence on behalf of the family.’
Senior Sergeant Miles said the young girl had a ‘very detailed treatment plan’ that needed to be followed in certain circumstances.
‘There was a whole range of medical professionals for the family to access,’ he said.
‘This happened on a number of occasions and the parents responded appropriately, on this occasion, however, they haven’t done so and the child deteriorated over a period of 24 hours and that resulted in the child’s death,’ he claimed.
Her parents Breannon and Jack (pictured together) have been charged with alleged negligence
In November, Ms Campbell wrote online that Penelope lost her battle to MCADD
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On 9 January, Ms Campbell, who runs a photography business, announced she would start taking bookings for the year in coming weeks and thanked followers for their support.
‘MCAD was the reason I started this business. My daughter was diagnosed at five days old,’ she said.
‘Would just like to thank everyone for staying with me during the most difficult year of my life.’
The announcement came two months after she told her Instagram followers she would be returning to work in 2023 and starting a new foundation in her daughter’s honour.
‘My husband and I are taking it day by day but thankful for our other two children,’ she wrote in November.
A post written by Ms Campbell on her photography business’ social media account in November
Last month, she reiterated that bookings made through her business would go towards a foundation being launched in her daughter’s honour
‘Every photoshoot I do next year, half my earnings still go towards The MCADD foundation. This foundation will be new, the ribbon is in honour of my daughter Penelope.
‘Penelope lost her battle to MCADD at only 3 years of age but thanks to the support of my family, friends and community we have been getting through it okay. This foundation will help others families like mine.’
Mrs Campbell also has a baking business and is employed as a part time special needs teacher’s aide, while her husband of five years is a yard worker.
The couple, who are charged with manslaughter, will face Townsville Magistrates Court in February.
The Campbells pictured together on Christmas in 2021
