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12-week-old Sapphire Brady from Margate died of natural causes after mum performed CPR to save her

A 12-week-old baby twin who died despite the best efforts of her mother to resuscitate her suffered a "sudden unexplained death in infancy", an inquest has been told.

Sapphire Brady stopped breathing at her home in Edgar Road, Margate, on the morning of July 16 last year.

Her mother Crystal Papworth performed CPR and ambulance crews rushed to the scene but Sapphire could not be revived and died at the town's QEQM Hospital.

Twins Sapphire and Brandon were born prematurely
Twins Sapphire and Brandon were born prematurely

An inquest into her death at Canterbury Coroners' Court was told her father Daniel Brady had fed Sapphie during the night at about 3am before they both fell asleep on the sofa.

When he woke at about 6am, he realised that something was not right with Sapphire.

In a state of despair, he called for his partner Miss Papworth who immediately started CPR on tiny Sapphire.

After she was taken to hospital, on-call consultant paediatrician Dr Obori Ikpeme took the decision that no more could be done to save her.

Sapphire with mum Crystal (6572263)
Sapphire with mum Crystal (6572263)
Brandon and Sapphire Brady (6572324)
Brandon and Sapphire Brady (6572324)

Speaking at the hearing, Dr Ikpeme said: "You know when a call comes in at 7am for a child in cardiac arrest, we know it is bad news."

Sapphire and twin brother Brandon were born prematurely on April, 23 last year.

Despite this, at 12 weeks old they were healthy, and their loving parents say they had noticed nothing unusual about Sapphire the evening before her death.

Both a pathologist and toxicologist stated there was nothing found in their examinations which would have contributed to her death.

A survey of the family's flat was undertaken by police following Sapphire's death, but officers found nothing to indicate neglect or drink or drug use.

Concluding the hearing, coroner Alan Blunsdon said: "The death is one of natural causes. I extend my deepest sympathies for the loss of Sapphire.

"I hope this has put to bed any fears which were unfounded."

Brandon and Sapphire Brady
Brandon and Sapphire Brady

Speaking to KentOnline's sister paper Thanet Extra last September, Miss Papworth said she felt like her world had ended when she learned her baby daughter had died suddenly.

She said: "I thought ‘my daughter isn’t gone, this is just some bad dream’.

"I glanced up to my lifeless daughter, tubes everywhere and machines being switched off.

"My world had just ended and my heart ripped out. Our future together was snatched away.

"My life has completely stopped, I can’t bring her back."

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