A 14-year-old girl has been taken into foster care after her nurse mother passed away from coronavirus and her father was left fighting for his life in the ICU.
Carmina Medel lost her loving mother, 41-year-old Leilani, on Good Friday. She passed away at the Princess of Wales Hospital where she worked as a nurse.
The girl’s dad, 39-year-old Johnny, is in the intensive care unit fighting for his life.
Carmina’s aunt was in self-isolation with symptoms of Covid-19, forcing social services to find a temporary home for the teen.
According to Mail Online, a local authority source said that the girl was ‘doing as well as can be expected.’
In an interview with MailOnline, Ms. Medel’s brother from the Philippines, Noel Osoteo, said: “We haven’t been able to speak to Carmina and can’t imagine what she must going through.
“She’s just a child who has lost her mother, now could now lose her father and is dealing with this by herself. That really hurts because all we want to do is comfort her and give her love.
“At a time like this you need family around you but sadly, Carmina doesn’t have this. We are all devastated and want to be with her but that’s impossible. I just pray that she is OK.”
A Bridgend Children’s Social Care department spokesperson confirmed that the 14-year-old was already in their care.
The spokesperson said: “We have made the necessary arrangements to look after and support Carmina. We cannot discuss details of any individual cases.”
Carmina’s aunt, 64-year-old Maris Allinebem, was in Bristol but she is in self-isolation with symptoms of coronavirus.
“Officially I’m not the next of kin but would have loved to have Carmina live with me until her father gets better, which I’m praying he does,” Ms. Allinebem said. “She’s with a foster family and we’ve heard that she’s very upset and worried but is coping as best she can.
“I’ve been ringing the hospital about Johnny, but they won’t give me any information, and this is just adding to my worry.”
Ms. Medel is the fourth Filipino NHS worker to pass away from coronavirus. Only weeks before she died, she shared a photo of herself and her daughter on Facebook writing: “I can’t stay at home. I’m a Nurse!”
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