The parents of a three-year-old girl who died after swallowing a battery have suffered another cruel blow after a suspected burglar stole from her grave.
Brittney Conway lost her brave fight for life at Queensland Children’s Hospital in July 2020, three weeks after ingesting the button battery that became embedded in her body.
Her parents, Lorraine and David Conway, who live on the Gold Coast, had placed a glass box on her grave with a tiara inside in memory of Brittney.
The precious keepsake locked inside the box was allegedly stolen from his grave in a Mudgeeraba cemetery.
Mrs Conway said the stolen item was a reminder of how much she loved her little daughter, who loved tiaras and dressing up.
“We just wanted her to know she was our little princess,” Ms. Conway said. 7 News.
The devastated mother expressed her frustration at the alleged thief, adding that the tiara was irreplaceable.
Brittney Conway (pictured) died at Queensland Children’s Hospital on 28 July 2020, three weeks after she ate the button cell battery, which became embedded in her body.
“I was so angry at the thought that someone would (supposedly) take something so precious from us or even from her,” he said.
Neighbors have rallied to support the distraught family and have offered to donate money for a new tiara.
“I met a gentleman who wanted to donate a $1,000 reward,” Ms. Conway said.
The couple first noticed the tiara was missing last week.
“What filthy, low-life dogs stole my daughter’s tiara from the safe on her grave,” Mrs Conway fumed on Facebook.
I hope they torment you forever!
“We’ll get her a new one, but this one was on her last bed before we put her to rest.”
Ms Conway described her daughter as a brave girl and full of life.
“She was a lively girl, even if she fell off a bicycle she always got back on,” he said.
He urged the alleged thief to return the stolen tiara.
“I don’t hate you, but please take him back,” she said.
Brittney’s mother Lorraine Conway (pictured) expressed frustration after her tiara was allegedly stolen from her daughter’s grave on the Gold Coast.
Queensland Police are understood to have been made aware of the incident.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Queensland Police for further comment.
Brittney began showing symptoms several weeks before she died, after experiencing a sore throat and beginning to vomit repeatedly.
She also began having nosebleeds and experienced terrible chest pain before she was taken to the doctor to have her symptoms checked.
Doctors had previously told Ms Conway that her daughter could have had food poisoning or contracted a virus.
Ms Conway took Brittney to Robina Hospital after finding her unconscious and lying in a pool of blood at her home several days later.
The tiara was placed inside a locked glass box that was attached to Brittney’s grave (pictured).
The girl underwent nine-hour surgery to remove the battery after doctors found the object in her chest during an X-ray.
She was later taken to Queensland Children’s Hospital for further surgery, but died eight days later.
Button cell batteries are small, disc-shaped elements used to power common household items such as clocks, remote controls, and toys.
Batteries can cause serious injury or death to young children if swallowed.
Parents of children aged 0 to 5 years are advised to keep button batteries out of sight and reach.