Video emerges of Townsville toddler Penelope Campbell’s funeral as parents charged over her death

Beside herself with grief, footage shows a distressed mum saying a final goodbye to her three-year-old daughter Penelope – a single, rainbow teddy bear perched on her casket. 

Seven months later, Breannon Campbell, 24, and her husband, Jack Campbell, 25, have been charged over her death – allegedly having neglected the toddler, who suffered an incurable, diabetes-like condition. 

The couple are accused of failing to provide care to Penelope, who died at Townsville University Hospital on July 7 last year, and was farewelled by mourners dressed in green – believed to be her favourite colour some 20 days later.

The toddler lived with inherited disorder known as Medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency – or MCADD – a condition where sufferers struggle to break down fats and have low blood sugar.

Video shows mourners gathered at Woongarra Crematorium Chapel, in the suburb of Julago, to say their goodbyes to the ‘brave, fearless and loving’ little girl.

A video of the service obtained by shows Ms Campbell being comforted by her sister as they gaze at a picture of Penelope placed on top of her tiny white coffin.

Breannon and Jack Campbell are pictured with their daughter Penelope on Christmas Day in 2021 

Footage of Penelope's funeral shows her aunt comforting her mother as they stand by the little girl's coffin

Footage of Penelope’s funeral shows her aunt comforting her mother as they stand by the little girl’s coffin 

Delivering their eulogy, the three-year-old’s aunts fought back tears as they recalled how the little girl was ‘thriving’ despite her condition and ‘never once considered herself any different from others.’

‘Baby girl, you can rest peacefully now,’ her aunt said. 

‘And know we are all here to live every day in your name.’ 

Queensland Police will allege Penelope’s condition was completely treatable and her death was the result of neglect.

‘This was a totally survivable medical condition,’ Detective Senior Sergeant David Miles claimed to reporters.

‘Our case is that this child should not have died from this condition [and] this is a case of negligence on behalf of the family.’

Senior Sergeant Miles said the young girl had a ‘very detailed treatment plan’ that needed to be followed in certain circumstances. 

‘There was a whole range of medical professionals for the family to access,’ he said.

‘This happened on a number of occasions and the parents responded appropriately, on this occasion, however, they haven’t done so and the child deteriorated over a period of 24 hours and that resulted in the child’s death,’ he claimed.

Her parents Breannon and Jack (pictured together) have been charged with alleged negligence

Her parents Breannon and Jack (pictured together) have been charged with alleged negligence 

In November, Ms Campbell wrote online that Penelope lost her battle to MCADD

In November, Ms Campbell wrote online that Penelope lost her battle to MCADD 

Ms Campbell's sisters broke down in tears as they delivered a eulogy at the funeral

Ms Campbell’s sisters broke down in tears as they delivered a eulogy at the funeral 

Days before the couple were arrested earlier this week, Ms Campbell penned a heartfelt post thanking her supporters for ‘staying with her during the most difficult year of her life’. 

On January 9, Ms Campbell, who runs a photography business, announced she would start taking bookings for the year in coming weeks and thanked followers for their support. 

‘MCAD was the reason I started this business. My daughter was diagnosed at five days old,’ she said.

‘Would just like to thank everyone for staying with me during the most difficult year of my life.’ 

The announcement came two months after she told her Instagram followers she would be returning to work in 2023 and starting a new foundation in her daughter’s honour. 

‘My husband and I are taking it day by day but thankful for our other two children,’ she wrote in November. 

Penelope was regularly in and out of hospital after being diagnosed with the rare genetic condition at five days old

Penelope was regularly in and out of hospital after being diagnosed with the rare genetic condition at five days old 

A post written by Ms Campbell on her photography business' social media account in November

A post written by Ms Campbell on her photography business’ social media account in November

Last month, she reiterated that bookings made through her business would go towards a foundation being launched in her daughter's honour

Last month, she reiterated that bookings made through her business would go towards a foundation being launched in her daughter’s honour 

‘Every photoshoot I do next year, half my earnings still go towards The MCADD foundation. This foundation will be new, the ribbon is in honour of my daughter Penelope.

‘Penelope lost her battle to MCADD at only 3 years of age but thanks to the support of my family, friends and community we have been getting through it okay. This foundation will help others families like mine.’

Mrs Campbell also has a baking business and is employed as a part time special needs teacher’s aide, while her husband of five years is a yard worker. 

The couple, who are charged with manslaughter, will face Townsville Magistrates Court in February.

***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk