A TikToker had excitedly shown off her baby’s cute outfit for his first hospital trip. But not long after the adorable video, the mother shockingly revealed that her son had died. Viewers gathered in the comment section to send their condolences.
A social media influencer with the TikTok username @VerucaSalt44 had recently welcomed her baby boy Cash. The mother was excited about her motherhood journey and shared a few moments on her social media.
Kimberley Summer Hartley and her son Cash | Source: TikTok.com/@VerucaSalt44
The TikToker’s real name is Kimberley Summer Hartley, and some of the videos she posted included the meals she had as a breastfeeding mother. She would enthusiastically show all three meals she had in a day, which helped with her milk production and some real moments when she did not have the energy to put together a delicious meal.
In another video, the 25-year-old mother showed off her cute baby boy. She wanted her followers to see the adorable blue onesie with animals he was wearing on his first trip to the hospital.
Kimberley Summer Hartley and her son Cash | Source: TikTok.com/@VerucaSalt44
Hartley mentioned that Cash had not had a bowel movement in seven days and wanted to get that checked out at the doctor. However, not long after the cute mother-son video she posted, Hartley revealed the most heartbreaking news on her Instagram.
The influencer announced that her one-month-old baby, Cash, had died in his sleep. “I don’t know what happened; he is having an autopsy this week, but it is unlikely that I’ll ever have an answer,” wrote the distraught mother.
Kimberley Summer Hartley | Source: TikTok.com/@VerucaSalt44
The Queensland Police revealed they got a call at around 06:13.an on Monday, February 5, 2024. Hartley announced her pregnancy in June 2023 and welcomed her son in December. The authorities are still waiting on the autopsy results to determine the child’s cause of death but expressed their deepest sympathies to the mother and her family.
The mother shared another heartbreaking video of herself crying, with the text, “I am sorry, there’s nothing else we can do.” In the caption, Hartley wrote, “I knew he was dead, but there was a part of me that really thought they were gonna wake him up.”
Kimberley Summer Hartley and her son Cash | Source: TikTok.com/@VerucaSalt44
In another clip, Hartley posted a short video of Cash as a newborn, tightly wrapped in a blanket as he lightly moved his body. She captioned the sweet video, “Cash Harrison Stirling 🤍🧸 19/12/2023 🕊️”
Despite the gutwrenching news that the mother shared with her followers, she still received comments from people asking her how she was able to set up a camera and post after losing her child.
So, Hartley decided to respond. She emphasized that no one would understand how she was feeling unless they knew the pain of losing a child. The grieving process was not easy because going home meant facing the house that would remind her that her son was no longer alive. “I feel insane, I feel crazy,” she said.
Kimberley Summer Hartley | Source: TikTok.com/@VerucaSalt44
The mother said she barely had time alone because people worried about her. She struggled to sleep. In fact, being in bed was the last place she wanted to be because it meant waking up and reliving the loss over and over again.
Nonetheless, the social media influencer received many encouraging comments from viewers, who assured her she did not owe anyone an explanation. The commenters understood the complicated grieving journey and wished her all the strength and love during this difficult time. “I am so sorry, Veruca. Sending so much love,” wrote a viewer.
Kimberley Summer Hartley | Source: TikTok.com/@VerucaSalt44
“Girl, do you. And never explain yourself. Just like you said, you are living this, and they are just imagining what they would do,” said another TikTok user. Other parents who also knew the pain of losing a baby told Hartley that there was no right way of doing things. She was the only person who would know what was best for her or what would help her cope.