My 2-Year-Old Died After Swallowing a Button Battery
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
An hour into my shift caring for elderly people, something deep in my gut told me to check my phone. I couldn't settle. A mother's instinct was screaming at me—something was wrong with my 2-year-old daughter, Harper-Lee.
Before I left for work, Harper had been tired. That wasn't strange in itself—she'd spent the morning dancing around the living room to music and was her usual energetic, sassy self. I tucked her into my bed for a rest and handed over childcare to my older daughters, Jamie-Leigh, then 18, and Kyla-Shannon, 13. I had no reason to believe anything was out of the ordinary.
But when I finally reached into my bag and unlocked my phone, I was met with dozens of missed calls from Jamie-Leigh—and one message that chilled me: the only legible word was "blood."
Immediately, I panicked. I assumed our dog must have bitten Harper. But the reality was far worse.
Nicklin holding Harper-Lee after giving birth. (Right) One of the last images she had taken of her.
Nicklin holding Harper-Lee after giving birth. (Right) One of the last images she had taken of her.
Stacy Nicklin
I called Jamie-Leigh. The moment the video connected, I saw my baby girl covered in blood, pouring from her mouth. I screamed and ran out of work—I was only two minutes down the road. By the time I got home, the ambulance had already arrived. Paramedics looked stunned. One even said they had never seen anything like it. There was blood mixed with bright green fluid, and no one knew why.
Earlier that day, Harper had been happy. She was watching TV and dancing around as I got ready for work. She was tired, yes, but nothing that raised alarm bells. As I sat beside her in the hospital later that day, doctors initially suspected her tonsils had burst—she had a history of septic tonsillitis.
They took her down to the operating theater, and she looked at me and said, "Mommy, I need you." That was the last thing she ever said to me.
Three and a half hours later, the heart surgeon came out. "It's not her tonsils," he said. "It's a button battery."
That tiny, coin-sized object had become lodged in Harper's esophagus. Its acid had burned a hole through her main artery. He returned to surgery to try to save her, but four hours later, he came back and said the words that still ring in my ears: "I'm sorry."
I screamed "No!" I didn't need an explanation. My baby was gone.
Harper-Lee died of cardiac arrhythmia—a result of the internal bleeding and damage caused by that battery.
It's been four years since that day, May 21, but it still feels like yesterday. I relive it constantly. The police investigated and discovered the battery had come from an LED light remote purchased online from China. The compartment wasn't screwed shut. Harper had managed to remove the battery and swallow it without anyone noticing.
Since then, I've been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. But my grief has fueled a mission.
Nicklin and Holly Phillips, another mom whose son swallowed a button battery but survived.
Nicklin and Holly Phillips, another mom whose son swallowed a button battery but survived.
Stacy Nicklin
I've dedicated my life to raising awareness of the dangers of button batteries. I've shared Harper's story across social media, under @stacybambam. I've met with parliament, campaigned for policy change, and collaborated with battery manufacturers to push for safer designs and proper warnings.
The backlash hasn't been easy. I've been harassed by trolls who called me a murderer and blamed me for what happened. But I didn't know. No one told me these everyday objects—found in toys, remotes, and household gadgets—could be deadly.
Now, I'll never stop telling Harper-Lee's story. Not just for her, but for every family that might still have a chance to avoid what we've lived through. Parents need to know: keep button batteries out of reach. Check your devices. Speak out. No child should die this way.
My daughter's life was short, but her legacy will be long. I promised her that.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
2 hours ago
- Newsweek
Baby Pulls Out Breathing Tube, Next Few Crucial Seconds Caught on Camera
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The heartstopping moment a mom and dad rushed to their baby's aid after she removed the tube that helps her breathe has been caught on camera. Dannii Sterling and Gary Burgess from Ashford, Kent, in the U.K., demonstrated an incredible level of care and composure as they tended to their daughter Billie. "Billie had decannulated herself, which means she pulled her tracheostomy tube out," Sterling told Newsweek. "We don't actually know how long she would be okay without it, so it's a case of getting a new one ASAP." Tracheostomy tubes are used to create an opening in the windpipe to assist with breathing. Writing alongside a video chronicling the drama, which was posted to Instagram under the handle billiesbreathingbattle, Sterling said her daughter has become "extremely inquisitive" about the tube, leading to "frightening" moments like these. "She doesn't understand that she shouldn't disconnect her vent ALL. DAY. LONG. Or that she shouldn't pull on her tracheostomy with both hands and yank it out of her neck," she said. Gary and Dannii coming to Billie's aid after she removed her tracheostomy tube. Gary and Dannii coming to Billie's aid after she removed her tracheostomy tube. Instagram/BilliesBreathingBattle Sterling knows there is every chance this will happen again, and it will take time for Billie to understand the importance of the tube. But after everything they have been through together as a family, to have their daughter happy and at home makes it all worthwhile. Billie was born on November 12, 2023, at 27 days, 4 weeks gestation via emergency caesarean in challenging circumstances for both mother and child. "I was unfortunately suffering from severe preeclampsia and was extremely unwell; this was the only option to save both mine and Billie's lives," Sterling said. Sterling would have to wait to properly meet her daughter. Weighing just 1lb 11oz, Billie was taken to a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) immediately after she was born. "Billie's lungs were so underdeveloped that she has severe chronic lung disease, which has caused an accumulation of issues and complications for Billie," Sterling said. "There have been numerous occasions where we have very nearly lost her, and she is extremely lucky to still be alive." When Billie was just a month old, she was transferred by emergency ambulance to a London hospital to undergo lifesaving bowel surgery. "I was warned Billie may not make it to London alive," Sterling said. But Billie did make it to London and through the surgery she so desperately needed. In her short life, Billie has undergone nine different surgeries and procedures. These include a procedure for a stoma opening and reversal on her bowel for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), heart surgery for patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), bronchoscopies and tracheostomy procedures on her airway. She's also had a Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) feed fitted to her abdomen as well as central and peripheral lines to allow intravenous access when administering medications. The first six months of Billie's life were spent intubated and sedated. Due to her premature birth, brain scans showed Billie is also at risk of suffering from Cerebral Palsy as she develops. Billie lives with chronic lung disease and severe bronchomalacia, meaning her airway is not fully formed and is "floppy" rather than stiff. "Billie has frequently stopped breathing as her airway collapses and her heart rate drops so low that she requires CPR," Sterling said. "Billie had the majority of her life not being able to go 7 days without having an infection, including pneumonia and sepsis." Despite the challenges faced in the early part of her life, Billie has found a way to blossom into the happiest little girl. Best of all, after 456 days in hospital, in February 2025, Billie finally came home. "She is growing and becoming stronger day by day, and myself and Gary can finally enjoy her little personality and character," Sterling said. "She's a good girl really but is always being mischievous. She loves being with her family and just generally watching everyone be silly." Gary and Dannii out with Billie, who is going from strength to strength. Gary and Dannii out with Billie, who is going from strength to strength. Instagram/BilliesBreathingBattle Though Sterling acknowledges leaving the house with Billie can be a challenge, with all of the things they need to maintain her care, making it feel like they are "packing for a mini holiday," they have been out on trips together. Billie is usually just happy at home, though, enjoying her favorite show, Miss Rachel. "We have to be super careful with her and germs, which can be stressful sometimes but we do as much as possible with her to try and make life as normal as possible," Sterling said. Being prepared for moments like the one captured on the video is an example of the new normal they face as a family. Sterling and Burgess are more than up to the challenge, though. "We had lots of training before the hospital allowed us to be discharged," she said. "They teach you all about emergency situations and how to react, but I think you look calm on the outside but are freaking out on the inside." With time, they hope Billie begins to understand why she shouldn't touch the tube. Until then, both mom and dad know they will have to have "eyes in the back of [their] heads." A brighter future is on the horizon, one where Billie starts school and no longer needs the tracheostomy. That begins with ventilator breaks, with a view to building up to the point where she is off the machine all day. Sterling knows they are on a "journey" with their daughter, but if the video she shared online shows anything, it's that Billie is in the best possible hands.
Newsweek
3 hours ago
- Newsweek
Mom Shares Family's Super Rare Genetic Trait—and the Internet Is 'Jealous'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A woman and her son have spoken out online about their extremely rare genetic trait, which affects about six in every 10,000 people in the United States. Elizabeth Tyler, 40, and her six-year-old son Liam, from the Midwest, were born with a condition known as heterochromia—meaning they have multicolored and different colored irises. The Instagram clip (@_elizabethevan_) of them explaining the condition quickly went viral, racking up 994,000 views at the time of writing. Mom-of-five Tyler told Newsweek: "I shared the video because I want Liam and other kids to know that what makes them different is what makes them shine. Growing up with it myself, I didn't always feel that way. Two screenshots from the viral video showing a close up of Liam's face; his left eye a mix of brown and blue and right completely blue. The right image is with his mom, whose eyes... Two screenshots from the viral video showing a close up of Liam's face; his left eye a mix of brown and blue and right completely blue. The right image is with his mom, whose eyes are mixed both colors. More Instagram/@_elizabethevan_ "Now I want to make sure my son grows up feeling proud of who he is and confident in his uniqueness—inside and out." In the clip, Liam explains that they have sectoral heterochromia, which, according to the All Things Vision website, appears as two-colored eyes forming a "slice" or "wedge" pattern in the iris. Also called partial heterochromia, it is the most varied form of the condition. The secondary color might show as a thin slice in one eye or cover up to two-thirds of the iris in another. It can occur in one or both eyes. When his mom asked whether he'd had a positive experience at school, Liam's answer broke her heart. He shared that some children had called him a monster and said he looked crazy. Tyler told Newsweek: "No parent ever wants to hear their child say something like that. But it also hit me on a personal level because I've been there. I remember being called names growing up and feeling different in a way that didn't always feel safe or celebrated. So when Liam said those words, it resonated deeply. I knew exactly what that sting felt like." Heterochromia runs in the family, affecting three of Tyler's siblings and her father, so it was somewhat normal in her household growing up. "Liam was around two years old when he started pointing to his eye," she explained. "By then, I had already been talking to him about heterochromia, so when he noticed it, he felt proud." Although schoolchildren aren't always kind, the family can count on support from social media users, who have inundated the post with encouraging comments. As of now, the June 6 post has received over 77,000 likes and many compliments. "Not only is he unique, he is BEAUTIFUL," one user wrote. Another added: "Honestly, I'm jealous... unless it hurts." A third commented: "You're both gorgeous and have the most beautiful eyes!!!!!"
Newsweek
6 hours ago
- Newsweek
Bride Spends Months Dieting for Wedding—Then Gets Devastating Diagnosis
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. For Cynthia Donovan, looking flawless on her wedding day in 2011 was a non-negotiable. But the relentless pursuit of perfection would eventually derail her health and fertility. "I got engaged and thought, 'I have to get into the best shape of my life,'" Donovan said. "So I kicked into overdrive." Prior to wedding planning, the registered dietitian from New York, already led a health-conscious lifestyle. She ate clean—plenty of vegetables and lean meats—and worked out five days a week. But once a ring was on her finger, she amped up her regimen: exercising seven days a week, sometimes for up to three hours a day. "I would exercise before work and then run after work. It was partly for stress relief, but I wasn't fueling my body properly, and that created even more stress physically," she said. She began tracking everything and wouldn't eat more than 1,500 calories. The now 39-year-old told Newsweek: "I was eating healthier and calculating my calories based on height. That's another misconception, that our bodies are just calculations." Despite being praised by others for her discipline and physique, Donovan's body was showing signs of distress. After going off birth control in hopes of checking her fertility, her period didn't return. "My doctor told me it was normal post-pill amenorrhea and to wait three to five months. But with the wedding approaching, I went back on the pill," she said. "What I didn't realize was that my period wasn't going to come back any time soon." That decision led to a grueling five-year journey of misdiagnoses, hormone therapies, supplements, acupuncture, and mounting frustration. She told Newsweek: "I was told I had Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), which is actually a common misdiagnosis when the real issue is hypothalamic amenorrhea." What Is Functional Hypothalamic Amenorrhea? Donovan was eventually diagnosed with functional hypothalamic amenorrhea (FHA), which typically falls into three categories based on its underlying cause, according to the Mayo Clinic: weight loss-related, stress-related, and exercise-related. It is estimated to affect around 1.62 million women in the United States. "The condition results in low estrogen and high cortisol levels along with other endocrine pathways disrupted, including thyroid and hormones in the gut such as ghrelin," Dr. Chrisandra Shufelt, a professor and chair of the Division of General Internal Medicine at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, told Newsweek. "FHA is also a form of infertility, albeit reversible once the condition reverses." Shufelt, a certified menopause practitioner with fellowship training in vascular biology and women's health, confirmed it is common for women with this condition to be diagnosed with PCOS. "PCOS is another common cause of secondary amenorrhea, also about 30-35 percent of cases. Women with FHA are often misdiagnosed as having polycystic ovarian syndrome; however, PCOS is associated with high testosterone and higher body mass index, as opposed to FHA," she said. Donovan's Journey to Motherhood "I was mad. The diagnosis didn't make sense to me," Donovan told Newsweek. At 30, she began fertility treatment. After three failed rounds of IVF, Donovan finally conceived on the fourth, only after fully scaling back workouts and increasing her calorie intake. Her first son was born in 2016. After breastfeeding for 18 months, and following the advice to eat more and exercise less, her period naturally returned—and just three months later, she became pregnant again without medical intervention. Her second child was born in 2018. L: Cynthia Donovan taking a photo of her baby bump. R: Donovan with her two sons, 9 and 6. L: Cynthia Donovan taking a photo of her baby bump. R: Donovan with her two sons, 9 and 6. Cynthia Donovan Looking back at her wedding photos brings mixed emotions. "Do you just want to see a nice body—or a woman who lived, laughed and loved up until her special day?" she asked. "When I look at mine, I see a girl who was unhappy with her body, even though she worked her butt off. I was empty inside and on edge, because I wasn't eating enough." The experience changed her both personally and professionally. In 2019, Donovan decided to specialize in hypothalamic amenorrhea and launched her own business, @ on Instagram in 2020 to help women reclaim their health and fertility. "The financial cost was mostly covered by insurance, but the time, stress, lab work, and emotional toll were enormous," she said. Today, she eats intuitively and exercises moderately. "You can get in shape, but it doesn't have to be extreme. It shouldn't cost you your health," Donovan said. "I want women to feel free—not stressed—around food." Is there a health issue that's worrying you? Let us know via health@ We can ask experts for advice, and your story could be featured on Newsweek.
