Age: 5
Sex: female
Date: 2 Feb 2008
Place: Alderhey Hospital, Liverpool
Rhianna Clottey died from streptococcal pneumonia at Alder Hey hospital in Liverpool on 2 February 2008.
She died from pneumonia two days after she had been diagnosed as having chicken pox.
She had lived in Shelton Close, Old Swan, Liverpool. Her mother was said to have been concerned about her daughter’s health and had taken her to the hospital twice on the Friday and Saturday, 1 and 2 February 2008, but on both occasions had been told by doctors that the symptoms were just chicken pox and sent her home.
She died on the Tuesday morning, 5 February 2008.
At the time the police said that an investigation had been launched into the circumstances of her death and the medical care she received.
Her death was described as sudden and was later flagged up as an unresolved murder by the Liverpool police.
A friend of the family said, 'Everybody is in total shock, Rhianna’s mum was told she had chicken pox and there was nothing doctors could do for a virus. Both times her mum took her to the hospital she was turned away, despite knowing something was seriously wrong with her daughter. They told her it was only a virus and no antibiotics would be given. But it was pneumonia. This is terrible and, as a mother, I don’t want this happening to any other children. Rhianna Clottey's mother lives on her own and had two children to look after. She was exhausted after caring for Rhianna and took the doctors’ advice at face value. You trust doctors to give you the right information. She had acted on her instincts, but now feels fobbed off. It has been reported to the police and now everybody at the hospital is being extremely cagey'.
