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SURAE CHINN
Reprinted with Permission
WUSA9 Video: Toddler Dies
WASHINGTON, DC (WUSA) - The family of little Stephanie Stephens is wondering why paramedics and first responders did not take the two-year-old girl to the hospital when the initial emergency call was placed.
That child would end up dying hours later.
9NEWS NOW talked with the girl's paternal grandmother.
Tondalia Richardson says, "I just don't understand it, I just don't understand it. If they were called then why didn't they take her? That's the part I don't understand this is an infant why wouldn't you take her?"
Investigators say it was February 10th in the middle of two blizzards when the child's mother called 9-1-1 because little Stephanie, whom many called Tu-Tu, had trouble breathing.
DC Fire and EMS released this statement, "Within minutes a Medic Unit arrived on the scene. Emergency first responders performed a patient evaluation. There was no transport."
Hours later they received another call from the child's home. This time paramedics transported the little girl to the hospital. But the next morning Stephanie Stephens was pronounced dead.
Richardson looked after her granddaughter every week and says, "She was the bubbliest thing. She was loving and happy and outgoing."
Stephanie was laid to rest this past Tuesday. Her grandmother is wondering how this little girl's life had to be cut short just shy of the girl's third birthday.
She says Stephanie died of pneumonia.
The paramedics and EMS personnel involved in this case are on administrative duty and are not to have contact with patients.
DC Fire says generally, EMS and first responders do not refuse transport.
Investigators are now looking into whether protocol was followed.
Written by Surae Chinn
9NEWS NOW & wusa9.com
