Parents issue warning after twins die in toy chest with arms around each other
Grieving parents have warned others after their four-year-old twins tragically died when they asleep in a toy chest.
Aurora and Kellan Starr fell asleep in in the chest at their Jacksonville, Florida home.
Their older brother later found them with their arms wrapped around one other.
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Deanna Myers has started a GoFundMe for sister Sadie Myers and her husband Donn 'while they live through the most horrific and painful thing any parent or sibling could be forced to endure'.
"My beautiful sister and her wonderful husband were devastated a few days ago by the unexpected, incomprehensible loss of both of their beautiful four year old twins in a tragic accident," Deanna wrote.
"As much as these wonderful parents have tried to blame themselves, they can’t.
"They couldn’t have known that this would happen or done anything to stop it.
"Four year old twins do so many silly things and they always do them together.
"This accident was one of those absolutely inconceivable things you can’t imagine or plan for or believe was even possible."
Mother Sadie also opened up on the heartbreaking death of her children on Facebook.
Issuing a warning to other parents, she wrote: "Me and Don are having an extremely hard time trying to make sense of this… not many will ever know the feeling of trying to not spend EVERY WAKING SECOND crying in agony.
"Something I did not know and I’m sure many others don’t know is that most wooden toy chests once closed are AIR TIGHT and also sound proof.
"I hope knowing this helps in some way, and I hope if you have a toy box like this that you destroy it immediately!"
Chief executive of the Child Accident Prevention Trust, Katrina Phillips, said: "This is a terrible tragedy and our hearts go out to the family. Do take a moment to check how easy it is to open your child's toy box.
"Many push open easily but there could be a problem with a heavy wooden lid.
"And teach your children not to climb onto or into furniture."
At the time of writing, $28,403 of the $10,000 target on GoFundMe has been raised.
Yesterday, Deanna wrote: "I don’t really know how to say thank you in a way that reflects how grateful we are to all of you.
"Those words aren’t good enough to express the gratitude we all feel.
"We’ve talked about this page and how it means so much just knowing that so many people are thinking about us and the beautiful babies we lost.
"Thank you to everyone helping here and at home.
"The support we’ve gotten from family and friends and everyone who’s donated is overwhelming.
"It won’t be taken for granted. Deanna Myers - on behalf of Sadie and Donn."
Anish Vij