Home / Crime and Justice / Nurse switches off life support, girl left lifeless
Nurse switches off life support, girl left lifeless
9 Oct
Summary
- Nurse accidentally switched off ventilator for nearly six minutes.
- Girl was found lifeless and struggling to breathe.
- Care company admitted fault but denied causing death.
A tragic incident occurred on February 15, 2022, when a care nurse reportedly switched off 13-year-old Joy Osundeko's life support ventilator for nearly six minutes. Joy, who had Down's syndrome and serious medical conditions, required constant care at her home in St Helens, Merseyside.
Her parents, Bisi and Mayo Osundeko, discovered their daughter unresponsive and struggling to breathe. They managed to manually revive her, but her parents stated she was never the same. CCTV footage confirmed the ventilator had been shut down.
Joy was hospitalized for nine days following the incident. Her parents noted a significant deterioration in her health, including reduced movement and a loss of smiles. She tragically passed away on June 13, 2022, aged 14, due to a stroke causing brain stem death.
The care company, Optima Health and Social Care Ltd, admitted breaching its duty of care but denied the incident contributed to Joy's death. They reached an out-of-court settlement. A police investigation led to charges, but the prosecution was later dropped. The family's request for an inquest was also denied.
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is currently investigating the nurse's practice. Joy's parents are left devastated, feeling failed by the legal system and still seeking answers for the horrifying events.
