Camila Roxana Martinez Mendoza, age 3, was hospitalised with stomach discomfort, vomiting, and a high temperature.
For her mother, Mary Jane Mendoza, this was a cause for concern warranting a trip to the doctor. She brought her daughter to a paediatrician in Villa de Ramos.
Where she grew up, but the doctor there was frightened enough to refer the family to San Luis Potosi, in the heart of Mexico, since the situation required an expert’s attention.
They took her to Salinas de Hidalgo Basic Community Hospital, where physicians used an oximeter to monitor her oxygen levels and a cool cloth to reduce her fever.
The doctors sent home the courageous little girl in agony with just a paracetamol prescription, but her health deteriorated over.
The following few hours, forcing them to get a second opinion. The subsequent medical professional suggested a fruit-based diet and prescribed new drugs.
After doing everything they could think of, they decided to see a doctor, who promptly recommended that the girl be admitted to the hospital.
When she was taken to the hospital in Salinas, the physicians and nurses there tried all in their power to stabilise her condition.
After 10 minutes, the IV was taken out of Camila’s vein and she was sent to rest. Remembering her last moments with her daughter, her mother reflected.
“You have to let her rest in peace.” While she was still clutching her, they whisked her away.
Mendoza was separated from her daughter by being kept in a cell.
She was able to escape, but the hospital personnel wouldn’t let her see her kid. She was devastated to hear that her daughter had passed away from dehydration.
Despite their uncertainty about the reality of the situation, the family planned a funeral for the next day. Her mother observed the coffin’s glass pane was slightly fogged over during the viewing.
She has every right to believe that her family has made her insane. Her maternal grandma insisted on digging into the casket for treasure despite warnings not to.
Camila’s eyes were moving, and she had a pulse, so she must have been startled by what she saw. Doctors tried all they could to revive the tiny girl.
But they were unable to do so and ultimately diagnosed her with cerebral edoema. There, my baby was finished.
My family and I am inconsolable because our daughter was a joyful, kind person who never made anybody feel unwelcome.
Because she was so loved, Mendoza added, “we have a lot of help from the ranch.” This week, Camila was set to begin kindergarten.
The first cause of her death was listed as dehydration, but cerebral edoema and metabolic failure were added to the second certificate.
My ultimate goal is to see justice done. Her mother, who was understandably devastated, said she held no ill will against the physicians.
Who had to resort to such extraordinary measures to save her daughter. “I only ask that the doctors nurses, and directors be changed so that it does not happen again,” she said.
The autopsy and further investigation into the mysterious death are still proceeding under the supervision.
San Luis Potos State Attorney General Jose Luis Ruiz. For this tiny angel, her parents seek answers and justice.