An inquest ruled her death preventable, citing neglect. The jury concluded that had Lila received antibiotics promptly, she would have survived. Rachael and Lila’s father, Darren, never received a personal apology—only a public statement from the hospital after the inquest. In Lila’s memory, her parents launched Lila’s Light, a charity providing grief kits to children who’ve lost a sibling. To date, it’s reached over 15 hospitals and raised more than $24,000.

Lila’s death is now a call for change in pediatric care. Her story reminds us that behind every statistic is a child who should still be here—and a family that will never be the same.