Girl, 9, tragically drowned in bath after mum went to fetch favourite toy

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A young girl has drowned in the bath after her mum left for just minutes to go and search for her favourite toy.

Mia-Ann Myerscough, from Bridgend, tragically died on September 13, 2021.

An inquest into Mia-Ann's death was carried out at Pontypridd Coroners’ Court on Tuesday, November 5, and heard that the nine-year-old had a condition called PCDH19-related epilepsy - a rare kind which can cause behavioural problems, early onset seizures, and cognitive and sensory delays, reports Manchester Evening News.

The pupil at Heronbridge School had not experienced a seizure in the two years leading up to her death, the court heard. On the evening of September 12, 2021, Mia-Ann's mum had taken her for a bath, WalesOnline reports.

Mia-Ann's devastated mum Julia Myerscough had been with her in the upstairs bathroom when she went downstairs to fetch Mia-Ann's favourite toy as she knew that without the toy, her daughter would not be able to settle in the bath.

Ms Myerscough claimed she was gone for no more than five minutes. She explained to the inquest that her daughter had taken some time to get into the bath. She had been concerned that without the toy Mia-Ann would have become irritable.

Speaking to assistant coroner Andrew Morse, she said: “She was sitting towards the top of the bath in the corner next to her little squishies - her little friends. I made sure the tap was turned off and I went down to get Danny Dog.”

Her partner Vernon Ward soon heard a 'bump' when Ms Mysercough was downstairs and was unsure where it came from. Mr Ward said that he had shouted up to Mia-Ann, and again when there was no reply.

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Mr Ward then went upstairs to check on the nine-year-old and discovered her partially submerged in the water. He quickly shouted for Ms Myerscough to come upstairs removed Mia-Ann from the bathwater and began CPR.

Mia-Ann's older brother alerted neighbours that something was wrong. One neighbour, John Howells, arrived at the house.

Mr Howells held the phone as call operators gave CPR instructions to Mr Ward. Moments later paramedics arrived and Mia-Ann was rushed to University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff.

Attempts to resuscitate Mia-Ann were stopped at a paediatric intensive care unit in the early hours of the morning after. Dr Stephen Leadbeatter, senior lecturer in forensic pathology at Cardiff University, said that he was unable to determine a precise cause of death for Mia-Ann.

He told the hearing: “While we have no evidence she was submerged in water, she was in the water and her nose and mouth were in the water. To me that is still immersion. One cannot ignore that water played a part. I can put it as the death is a consequence of immersion in a child with PCDH19-related epilepsy.”

Alyson Davies, paediatric epilepsy specialist nurse with Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, worked alongside the family supporting Mia-Ann. She told the inquest that Mia-Ann's epilepsy had been well managed and she would mostly take her medication properly.

She also claimed there had not been any issues reported to her about Mia-Ann's epilepsy in the two years prior to her death. Ms Davies also clarified guidance for people with epilepsy which was read out to her by Assistant Coroner Morse.

This stated that a shower is better than a bath and that people living with epilepsy should never take a bath or shower in a property by themselves. Ms Myerscough explained that her daughter had hated showers and would 'scream' when the water ran over her head.

She went on to add that her daughter was a 'very private little girl' who had 'loved a bath'. So, she had sat outside the bathroom door on the stairs 'chatting away' to her daughter while she was bathing.

Ms Davies agreed that this was a good approach. The hearing also heard that Mia-Ann had not had any issues in the bath before her death.

At the inquest's conclusion, Mr Morse gave a conclusion of an accident. He said: "I find on the balance of probability Mia-Ann suffered a seizure which led to her immersion in the bath."

Mr Morse also told Ms Myerscough that she was not being blamed for what had happened. He also extended his condolences to Mia-Ann's loved ones.

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