A Utah family is mourning the loss of their terminally ill toddler one week after helping him fulfill his dream of sitting on Santa’s lap.
Miles Agnew, 2, was in hospice care for months with his health in slow decline, when he suddenly took a turn for the worse.
Two weeks ago ‘his little body went into shock and has started to shut down. We don’t know what happened,’ his mother Michelle Agnew told ABC News last week.
And last night, Michelle and her family tragically lost their beloved little one.
‘It is with a very heavy heart that I’m announcing the passing of Miles Agnew. Last night he quietly passed away in the arms of his parents and surrounded by loving family,’ Michelle wrote on Facebook.
A Utah family is mourning the loss of their terminally ill toddler, Miles Agnew (pictured), one week after helping him fulfill his dream of sitting on Santa’s lap
Miles Agnew (pictured on Dec 5), 2, has been in hospice care for months and he suddenly got worse. But his family made sure he had the opportunity to sit on Santa’s lap for the last time
The visit to see Santa was arranged by the Secret Sleigh Project. Pictured are Miles, Hailey, 13, and Taveon, 11
The Agnew family has asked that instead of donating to GoFundMe page ‘that was set up against their wishes, that any donations be sent to Primary Children’s Hospital, whose excellent staff and doctors took great care of the family’.
‘Many thanks to those that have already expressed their condolences, the Agnews are very grateful for the outpouring of love and support,’ the post read.
The Agnews adopted Miles when he was three months old.
He was born with microcephaly, spastic quad cerebral palsy, and also had cortical vision impairment, intractable epilepsy, brain malformations and a feeding intolerance.
The Agnews have two other children, Hailey, 13, and Taveon, 11.
Last night, Michelle and her family tragically lost their beloved little one. ‘It is with a very heavy heart that I’m announcing the passing of Miles Agnew. Last night he quietly passed away in the arms of his parents and surrounded by loving family,’ a Facebook post read
The Agnews adopted Miles (pictured) when he was three months old
Miles was born with microcephaly, spastic quad cerebral palsy, and also has cortical vision impairment, intractable epilepsy, brain malformations and a feeding intolerance
On December 5, the Secret Sleigh Project arranged for Santa to pay the family a visit.
The organization works to provide children with medical illness and fragility all over the US with the opportunity to meet Santa at home.
‘Every child deserves to experience Christmas magic, even when homebound due to the difficulty of their care,’ the organization’s mission statement reads.
For Michelle, the day was magical.
‘With the turn in Miles’ health and trying to make more memories as quickly as we can we didn’t think we would be able to do our Santa visit,’ Michelle said at the time.
‘We treasure our time and our memories with our family so much. Although we have had so much heartache in our lives we try our hardest to keep moving forward.’
‘It brings more meaning to the Christmas season,’ The founder of the Secret Sleigh Project, Sarah Portillo, told ABC News last week.
‘It elevated my hope that perhaps we are all here to orchestrate small miracles, as long as we are open to the opportunity. I am very grateful that we were able to be a part of this family’s day, in some small way, and I will never forget it.’
Miles’ family said the toddler loved Batman and Moana. ‘We have been so blessed and honored to have Miles as part of our family. We will never forget the time we had with him and will cherish it forever,’ the family wrote in his obituary
The Agnews have lost two other children due to genetic conditions. They adopted Miles almost two years ago
A service will take place for Miles (pictured with his dog) on Saturday, December 16 in Salt Lake City, Utah, according to his obituary
Jerry Bodily, dressed as Santa, also said the visit was emotional.
‘Back in the 70s when I met my former wife, she had two daughters, her youngest had been diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, and six weeks after we met, she lost her battle, so I knew what the family was going through,’ Bodily said.
‘I can’t lie, I got choked up, and there was a tear in Santa’s eye, but this was for this family’s memory,’ he said.
The Agnews have lost two other children due to genetic conditions.
A service will take place for Miles on Saturday, December 16 in Salt Lake City, Utah, according to his obituary.
‘He was a fighter despite all of the hardships he was dealt with in life. He thrived on the love from his family. Our little “Boo” brought so much joy and love to our family through his smiles, coos, and laughter,’ the obituary read.
Miles’ family said the toddler loved Batman and Moana.
‘We have been so blessed and honored to have Miles as part of our family. We will never forget the time we had with him and will cherish it forever,’ the family wrote in the obituary.