A family in Florida went to a theme park for a day of fun, never imagining it would end in agony. Ashley and Kyle DuPont took their daughters, Norah and Stella, to SeaWorld in Orlando on October 15. While there, 8-year-old Stella collapsed and went into cardiac arrest. Her parents immediately sought help, and the young girl was rushed to the hospital.
Sadly, Stella did not survive the catastrophic event. Her family is mourning her unexpected death and sharing their thanks and love with all who tried to save their little girl.
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Stella didn't die immediately.
Her mother, Ashely DuPont, posted about her daughter's unexpected death on Facebook.
"Our gorgeous girl, Stella Quinn, suffered a catastrophic event that she did not deserve and no parent should ever have to witness. Kyle and I immediately and aggressively did everything we could to try to save our beautiful girl," she wrote. "She was taken to Dr. Phillips hospital followed by Arnold Palmer Hospital, and their very best and valiant efforts were not enough to help Stella. We prayed over and over for a miracle."
According to Suncoast Professional Firefighters & Paramedics IAFF Local 2546, doctors discovered bleeding around the girl's brainstem that led to her brain losing blood flow.
The family decided to take Stella off life support.
Her parents made the gut-wrenching decision to let Stella die after tests showed that her brain was not responsive. Ashely DuPont said she and her husband held and cuddled their girl, whose name means "star queen."
"I know she will continue to be our brightest star in the sky to guide our family. She is our true north. We know she is watching over us and giving us her strength to carry us through the deepest most awful pain we're ever known," her mother wrote in her post.
The grieving mother thanked those who rallied around her family.
Ashely DuPont praised the Orlando Fire Department and said its personnel were "the most supportive to us through this unthinkable nightmare." She also said friends and family surrounded them with love and stayed at the hospital as Stella's time on earth dwindled.
"She is truly irreplaceable, and now lives among the stars. We love her endlessly, forever, well beyond the end of time, and we will never be able to get over the immense emptiness in the world now that she isn't here with us," the grieving mother wrote in her post.
Loved ones left words of encouragement on Ashely Dupont's Facebook post.
"Kyle and Ashley, I'm so sorry you have to go through loosing your precious Stella. I can only hope the outpouring of love from family/friends can lift and comfort you through this difficult time. Our hearts are with you," a friend wrote.
Many echoed the sentiment.
"My heart aches for you and the family. This post was beautiful, Ashley, just like Stella. I admire your strength during this most difficult time. I'm holding you and the family up in prayer, love, and light," another person commented.
"Stella was truly amazing and one loved little girl! From the instant we met her, it was obvious she was special. She may have single handedly been the reason we showed up at the playground all those weeks initially! We love you all and are so sorry. She will be so missed," someone else wrote.
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Emergency responders came together to raise thousands with a GoFundMe account.
According to his Facebook account, Kyle DuPont is a firefighter with the Orlando Fire Department. Fellow firefighter Jason Hooper created the fundraiser and asked donors for help in four ways.
- Spiritually – Pray for them in their time of mourning.
- Emotionally – Remain there for them when they need someone to talk to.
- Physically – Hug your children and love them the way Stella loved everyone.
- Financially – Donate what you can, and if you can't please share.
As one donor wrote, "From OFD D5-C personnel. Rest easy sweet Stella and may peace find the DuPont Family."
Another wrote, "From one Fire family to another, The Harris Family sends our deepest condolences! Sending love and prayers! – The Harris's, Largo Fire Rescue."
The fundraiser has donations of nearly $85,000 thus far.
