A two-year-old girl continues to her fight for life three days after being found lying face down and unconscious in a pool at her family’s home in Brisbane.
Aliyana Caplin’s mother, Amber, 33, made the horrifying discovery on Wednesday afternoon and rushed her lifeless body to Lady Cilento Children’s hospital.
The toddler remained in the intensive care unit on life support three days later, with her family saying her fate was ‘still very much up in the air’.
Her father, Christopher Caplin, told Daily Mail Australia the pool gate had been open at the time Aliyana was noticed missing amid a chaotic afternoon.
Two-year-old Aliyana Caplin is fighting for her life today after her mother found her face down and unconscious in the family’s swimming pool in Ipswich
Left to right: Mia, 11, Alex, 9, Seth, 8, and Aliyana, 2, being held by her mother, Amber, 33
The 30-year-old said their three older children had just arrived home and one of the familys’ dogs had opened the back door, allowing Aliyana to ‘slip out unnoticed’.
‘A few minutes later her mum noticed her missing and went looking for her and found her face down in the pool,’ Mr Caplin said.
‘Not really knowing how to do CPR she tried her best and the policeman across the road came over after hearing her scream and helped until the ambulance got there.
Aliyana with her father Christopher Caplin: ‘She still has a very long way to go and her fate is very much up in the air’
‘The doctors have said not to get our hopes up as Ali was without oxygen for quite some time.’
Mr Caplin explained the pool gate was open to allow their dogs to cool off during the warm weather.
Aliyana, who has tuberous sclerosis, has already been through three brain surgeries to prevent the seizures it causes.
Tuberous Sclerosis is a rare genetic disorder that causes benign tumors to grow in the brain and on other vital organs.
Aliyana has tuberous sclerosis, a rare genetic disorder that causes benign tumors to grow in the brain and on other vital organs
‘She is in a stable condition but they have her sedated and cooled to try and minimize any brain damage.’
Her blood pressure has gotten a little better again and while the machines are still breathing for her, she has been making some effort to initiate her breathing.
‘It has been a very difficult time for us over the past two days and there’s still a lot to go.’
Aliyana’s parents and siblings, Mia, 11, Alex, 9, and Seth, 8, say they are grateful to the Lady Cilento Children’s hospital staff and Ronald McDonald house for ‘allowing us to stay close to our little girl through this’.
‘Today will just be another day of waiting’, says Mr Caplin. ‘She still has a very long way to go and her fate is very much up in the air.’
Mr Caplin says his daughter is ‘In a stable condition but they have her sedated and cooled to try and minimize any brain damage’