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Mother Stands 3 Feet from Age 3 Son as He Chokes on Bouncy Ball and Dies

By Liz Boselli March 6, 2018 at 3:56pm

It was the day no mother ever wishes to see. Anna Davis, a mother-of-three and pregnant with a fourth, had a beautiful family.

With loving children and a caring husband, everything seemed to have fallen into place. But on Feb. 26, their world would come crashing down.

Just days from her son Alby’s fourth birthday, the young boy started choking on a bouncy ball.

A toy designed for ages 3 and up, Anna gave it to him to play with, believing it would be safe for her son as the warning label said.

But within minutes, Alby began choking on the ball, which was nearly 1.5 inches in diameter, larger than a half dollar coin.

Just three feet away from her son, the frantic mother immediately attempted CPR to dislodge the ball.

As the media storm surrounding our family swirled yesterday, I beg you – this beautiful, loving community – to disregard the many ignorant, hurtful and incorrect assumptions that have been formed regarding the more specific details of Alby’s passing. The heart ache we are already experiencing is indescribable, and to know there are ill-informed stories and subsequent false accusations circulating, initiated by some incredibly heartless people at this time, only exacerbates our pain. To very briefly clarify some of the most widely spread misconceptions – yes, I of course tried to save our beautiful boy (including, but not only, undertaking CPR for 16 excruciating minutes until paramedics arrived), I was three feet away from Alby when the incident occurred and was by his side within seconds, the ball was larger than the 50c piece/film canister size-recommendation for toys given to young children, and the ball packaging states ‘not for children under three years’ – being only a few days away from turning 4, Alby was almost one year older than this advice (swipe across) We thank you again, from the bottom of our hearts, for the love and sympathy you have so graciously expressed. Knowing fellow mamas and papas are encircling our family, sharing in our grief, and clutching their babies a little tighter, brings us great comfort. Our golden boy will live on in us all ?

A post shared by THE SMALL FOLK (@the.small.folk) on Mar 2, 2018 at 4:15pm PST

While paramedics sped to their home, Anna performed CPR on Alby for over “16 excruciating minutes.”

But the ball was lodged in his windpipe, and it quickly became too late. According to their GoFundMe page, “In a matter of seconds, despite his mama’s frantic attempts to save him, he passed away in her arms.”

The family took to Instagram to share the tragic news, garnering support from readers all across the globe.

At first, many assumed Anna did not try to save Alby, something she clarified in a later post honoring her son.

The family also thanked the many people who sent condolences to them and felt comforted that so many would hold their kids just a bit tighter for them.

“Knowing fellow mamas and papas are encircling our family, sharing in our grief, and clutching their babies a little tighter, brings us great comfort,” an Instagram post read.

On Monday, the day of Alby’s fourth birthday, the family posted a tribute to their beloved son and brother, thankful for the short time they had with him.

“Today, despite the fact you are no longer with us, we celebrate and honour your fourth sunshine journey,” another post said.

Darling Alby, Today, despite the fact you are no longer with us, we celebrate and honour your fourth sunshine journey. Your daddy and I visited you this morning, holding your hands and stroking your hair, for what I wish could have been an eternity. We placed your much-longed for gift – a waterproof watch with a light – around your tiny little wrist, and tried not to shower you with too many tears as we painted your fingernails with your favourite gold glitter polish. Time spent with you is never enough and leaving without you by our side, summons the most unbearable pain we’ve ever had to endure. Our arms are yearning for the thousands of cuddles yet to be given, our ears are longing for your laughter to once again resound through the walls of our home, and our hearts are shattered for the millions of memories we’ll never have the chance to create. We, along with the world, are weeping, but we take solace in the fact that all you ever knew, in your almost-four-years, was nothing but love. We are eternally grateful for the abundant light you bought to our lives and now know that your purpose was so much higher than any of us ever anticipated. Happy birthday sweetheart. We miss you endlessly ♥️

A post shared by THE SMALL FOLK (@the.small.folk) on Mar 5, 2018 at 3:29am PST

“Time spent with you is never enough and leaving without you by our side, summons the most unbearable pain we’ve ever had to endure.

“Our arms are yearning for the thousands of cuddles yet to be given, our ears are longing for your laughter to once again resound through the walls of our home, and our hearts are shattered for the millions of memories we’ll never have the chance to create.”

“We, along with the world, are weeping, but we take solace in the fact that all you ever knew, in your almost-four-years, was nothing but love. We are eternally grateful for the abundant light you bought to our lives and now know that your purpose was so much higher than any of us ever anticipated.”

The loss of a child is no doubt an incredibly difficult burden to bear. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this tragic time.

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