Influencer Melissa Mae Carlton says doctors have diagnosed what led to tragic Christmas Day death of daughter Molly, 5

by

Melissa and Tom Carlton have learned the cause of their daughter Molly‘s death, which occurred unexpectedly on Christmas morning, about four months after she passed away.

This latest tragedy happened less than two years after the couple lost their nine-year-old daughter, Abigail, to sepsis in April 2024.

Carlton explained that Molly was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition affecting the mitochondria, called PPA2, and they believe her sister, Abigail, likely had the same condition.

Carlton shared with her over 152,000 followers the illness she thinks caused the deaths of two of her four children.

Dr. Carlton explained that the problem isn’t with the heart’s physical structure, but rather a lack of energy within the cells. This can lead to unexpected cardiac events in children who seem perfectly well.

Carlton explained that the condition is very uncommon and often goes undiagnosed because it isn’t tested for enough, and she believes doctors frequently miss it.

Carlton, who shares two children with his spouse of 14 years, believes many unexpected child deaths aren’t properly investigated or explained.

The creator explained that families usually find out about PPA2 only after something bad happens, and they believe this needs to be different.

Oh my gosh, I just read that Carlton posted an update, and my heart is absolutely breaking for her! She said her whole family is still getting tested, and she specifically asked for prayers while they wait for the results. I’m sending all the positive energy I have their way, seriously. I’m so worried about them and just hoping for the best possible news. It’s just…so stressful to hear!

The influencer said she felt it was a good time to explain what had been happening, now that her family had received the new information, as she mentioned in another video.

“It was upsetting, and honestly, I felt deeply betrayed,” Carlton explained. “I couldn’t believe it was actually happening.”

After losing one child, I couldn’t understand why we were facing the same heartbreak again just 18 months later, especially on Christmas Day. I kept questioning why God would let this happen to our family a second time.

Carlton shared with his followers that he’d had a very difficult day at the hospital on the day Molly died.

Carlton recalled the doctors being baffled by the situation. He kept hoping his wife would wake up and reassure him that everything was alright, maybe even sharing that she’d been with their daughter, Abbi, and that it would all be a wonderful, unexpected recovery.

Carlton shared that doctors worked tirelessly to save her after the cardiac event, but sadly, they were unable to revive her.

She explained that after leaving the hospital that evening, she and her husband were devastated and frightened, knowing they had to return home and tell their two children about the loss of another sister.

The grieving mom said in the caption that she is turning to faith amid the troubled times.

Carlton admitted he struggled with his faith after losing his children. He said losing one child felt devastating, but losing two felt unbearably cruel, and he still grapples with those feelings and doesn’t have answers.

Carlton said she was ‘trying to hold onto the truths’ that she knew as a woman of faith.

She explained that we are all children of a loving God, that we lived with Him before we were born, and that we willingly came to Earth to learn and grow, even knowing life would be challenging. This was based on the understanding that everything will eventually be made right and that family relationships can last forever.

It’s the only thing bringing me a little peace right now. Molly misses her sister terribly and frequently asks me, “Mommy, when will Jesus return so Abi can come back?”

Hours later, Carlton returned to Instagram with more details. 

I’m hesitant to share medical details before we have a firm diagnosis, but I want people to know we’re finally getting some answers. Doctors think Molly had a heart problem caused by her genes, and they suspect her sister, Abi, may have had the same condition.

Carlton explained he was sharing this information because he thought it could be very important for families who have experienced the sudden, unexpected death of a child.

We understood Molly’s condition better because doctors could observe her in the hospital, something we couldn’t do for Abi. I’ve always been unhappy with the explanations we received about Abi’s health.

She clarified that if Abi shared the same heart problem, even a small sickness could possibly cause a serious and unexpected cardiac event.

Molly died on Christmas Day following a sudden hospitalization. 

Carlton remembered that morning as being full of little blessings. He said the paramedics were conveniently located and arrived very fast, just three minutes after they were called.

The children’s trauma center was just fifteen minutes away, which was a huge relief. We felt like we were in the best location with all the right resources to give her the best chance. She fought incredibly hard, but doctors explained that this kind of heart problem is usually fatal.

Carlton shared how deeply affected everyone was, saying they felt devastated, shocked, and confused. The day had been incredibly traumatic and heartbreaking, leaving them exhausted and shaken. He admitted to feeling numb and struggling to accept what had happened, saying he wasn’t prepared for such pain.

The influencer, known for her faith-based artwork and popular Instagram account with 80,000 followers, has openly discussed Abi’s passing in the past.

Last month, she posted a video montage of sweet moments with her daughter Abigail throughout her life – like family dinners and birthday celebrations. The video included a heartfelt message: ‘I was supposed to be waking up to my 10-year-old rushing downstairs to open gifts today.’

Carlton thought about how suddenly Abigail had died, remembering she’d been cheerful and playing with her brothers and sisters just the day before.

She woke up with a stomachache and started vomiting, which they first assumed was just a common illness. But tragically, Abigail passed away within three hours.

She admitted the grief has taken a toll on her ability to appear ‘strong’ online. 

She recently shared how much she’s struggling, saying it’s a truly awful time. She deeply misses someone and finds it especially painful because this time of year is usually meant to be joyful.

It’s our second Christmas since she passed away, and I’m finally starting to truly feel the weight of the loss. I’ve been coping for a while, but now the reality is really hitting me, and it’s hard to accept that she’s gone.

Carlton shared that she no longer wants a picture-perfect holiday. 

Losing a child has really shifted my perspective on what ‘home’ should feel like. I used to strive for perfection, wanting everything to look like a magazine spread. Now? I crave cozy. I want a space that feels lived in, a place where it’s obvious we’re a family who actually lives here, with all the beautiful messiness that comes with it.

I wish we’d just had one Christmas tree all along. It was too much work managing two – one for the adults and a separate one for the children. From now on, the tree will be entirely the kids’ – decorated with all of their ornaments and handmade creations.

She shared how the family now honors Abi’s memory with special traditions, like creating ‘Abi angels,’ decorating the tree with ornaments from her childhood, and displaying one of her holiday pajamas as a keepsake.

‘This is what Christmas looks like now,’ Carlton concluded.

Read More

2026-04-24 04:50