'My cheeky little girl had a smile to melt anyone's heart', Mansfield dad

Two-year-old Lacie-Mae Wilson died at Queen's Medical Centre on Friday, April 1

Heartbroken father Adam Wilson, 30, said his beaming toddler was the happiest girl on earth.

He said: “She always had a smile for you and she was ‘Peppa Pig mad’ – everything she had was Peppa Pig.

“Everybody loved her beautiful blonde hair, big blue eyes and cheeky, cheeky smile – enough to melt anyone’s heart.”

Lacie-Mae, who would be turning three in July, had been living with Epilepsy and was undergoing regular consultations with doctors.

Devastated mum Torrin Williams, 26, of Alcock Avenue, Mansfield, said Lacie-Mae had been having a bath at around 5.45pm.

“She was having a bath and suffered an epileptic fit which led to her taking in water," she said.

“The ambulance took half an hour to arrive, even though I had told them exactly what had happened.”

Despite having the condition, Lacie-Mae was doing well at pre-school.

Torrin said: "She was at Learning Ladder and she was doing brilliantly. But because she doesn't have fits regularly, doctors wouldn't put her on daily medication. The fit she had a few months ago lasted an hour and 15 minutes and we thought she wasn't going to survive it, but she did."

“She just wasn't strong enough for this one,” added Adam, who believes if she was on regular medication his daughter would never have died.

"She would still be here now," he said.

The family have come together to help each other through this difficult time and are also supporting Lacie-Mae’s two brothers and a sister.

"I only told them yesterday,” said Torrin. “I don’t think they really understand. We’ve said to them she’ll not be coming home, she was very poorly, and she’s a bright star in the sky now and we’ve got to look out for her."

Aunt Rena Clarke added: “They’re so young and they’re going to wonder where their sister is. How do you explain to children, how do you explain that sort of thing?"

Adam added: “It’s going to be very hard, but we’ve got to be strong for the other kids. We can’t just crumble and melt.

“We’ve all got each other.”

Nottinghamshire Police said they are investigating on behalf of the coroner.

And tributes are pouring in as the community rallies to show support for the family.

Family friend Jacqueline Baguley, 32, said: "It's heartbreaking news for the family and everyone else that knew her. You are both such loving parents - she'll be sadly missed and never forgotten. I can't imagine the pain you and your family are going through.”

Her daughter Kayleigh Stuart, 11, of Asquith Primary School added: "May your angel fly high and shine down on the people that loved her."

Danielle Crawford said on Facebook: "I'm so sorry for the loss of your beautiful angel! My heart goes out to all your family. Rest in paradise princess."