Family ‘want answers’ as inquest opens into girl who died after being ‘told she was constipated’

The grieving family of a Warwickshire schoolgirl who died after being sent home from A&E with “constipation” are hoping to finally get answers about her hospital care as an inquest into her death opens today. Craig Greenhalgh suffered the agony of finding his daughter, Annabel, passed out in their family home in Warwick.

It came hours after she was sent home from A&E at Warwick Hospital after complaining of abdominal pain. After being told she was constipated, she was released from the hospital and sent home, her parents say.

But tragically, the next morning, Craig found his eleven-year-old daughter passed out at home, and despite the best efforts of paramedics, she sadly died.

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Both Craig and his wife Josie have spoken of how the loss of their only child has left a “hole” in their lives. An inquest into the popular schoolgirl’s death is due to begin today (June 14) at Coventry Coroners’ Court.

After 18 months, her parents hope the inquest will finally answer their questions about her treatment before she died. Between 2017 and 2021, she suffered several episodes of severe abdominal pain and required hospital treatment on several occasions.

But Craig said: “When we were told we could take Annabel home from hospital, we were confident there was nothing serious going on. Waking up the next morning to find her unresponsive was absolutely devastating and something we are still trying to come to terms with.

“Every day since then, we have asked ourselves if more could have been done to save our little girl. He was our only child and we still have so many unanswered questions about what happened to him.

“We know hearing it all again at the inquest will be incredibly difficult, but it’s something we have to do to honor our daughter and get the answers we’ve been looking for for more than 18 months. Since losing Annabel, there has been a hole in our lives and we wouldn’t wish what we’ve gone through on anyone.”

Medical negligence solicitors from Irwin Mitchell were instructed by the couple to investigate the tragedy. Emma Rush, the family’s solicitor, said: “Josie and Craig remain understandably devastated by the sudden and tragic loss of their little girl.

“They also continue to have a number of questions about what happened to her. While nothing can bring Annabel back, the investigation is a major milestone in being able to give her family the answers they deserve.

“If any issues with the care provided to Annabel are identified during the investigation, it is vital that lessons are learned to improve patient safety.”

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