Nine-year-old girl drowned in bath after mum went to find her favourite toy

A nine-year-old girl drowned in the bath after her mum left for just minutes to go and find her favourite toy. Mia-Ann Myerscough, from Bridgend, died on September 13, 2021.

An inquest into Mia-Ann's death was conducted at Pontypridd coroners’ court on Tuesday, November 5, and heard that the nine-year-old had a condition called PCDH19-related epilepsy. This is a rare kind of epilepsy which can result in behavioural problems, early onset seizures, and cognitive and sensory delays.

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

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Her mum Julia Myerscough had been with her in the upstairs bathroom when she realised that Mia-Ann didn't have her favourite toy with her, Danny Dog. Ms Myerscough knew that without the toy her daughter would not be able to settle in the bath, so went downstairs to find it, saying she was gone for no more than five minutes.

Ms Myerscough explained 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 then heard a 'bump' while Ms Myerscough was downstairs, but had not been sure where it came from. Mr Ward said that he had shouted up to Mia-Ann, shouting again when there was no reply.

Mr Ward then went upstairs to check on Mia-Ann and found her partially submerged in the water. After shouting for Ms Myerscough to come upstairs he removed Mia-Ann from the bathwater and began CPR.

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

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

Attempts at resuscitation 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, had worked with 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 added that she had not had any issues reported to her about Mia-Ann's epilepsy in the two years leading up 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 say 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 any issues in the bath before her death.

At the inquest's conclusion Mr Morse gave a conclusion of 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.