A DAD has shared how his eight-year-old daughter was left fighting for her life after spending two years in a mould-infested house.
Little Sienna Santiago had to be taken to ICU as the fungus had started to affect her organs to the point of shutting down.
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The girl’s dad former police officer Stephen Thomson lived with his family in Pirlangimpi, NT, Australia in police housing, 9 News reports.
And despite repeatedly reporting the mould to police management, for two years, the issue was not resolved.
In March 2019, Sienna, who was described by doctors as the “unluckiest girl in the world”, got seriously and her condition worsened over time.
She spent 11 days in ICU, five weeks at Royal Darwin Hospital and months of rehab.
The girl had contracted a serious throat infection, according to NT News.
She was then diagnosed with epiglottis and Pseudomonas before needing surgery for sepsis.
Her dad added: “The epiglottis (the lid that prevents food entering your lungs) was swollen and almost closed up completely. All around the epiglottis was a grey-green-brown fluff, like decaying flesh.
“It stunk, it absolutely stunk. You gagged when she breathed.”
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And the girl’s health has been affected with serious consequences with her dad telling the outlet “those disabilities are possibly going to be life-long”.
He said Sienna is still unable to move the left side of her face, blink and has reduced feeling in her right toes.
A report conducted after Sienna’s hospitalisation found “very high levels of mould” throughout the house.
Entering the property is now restricted with those allowed being required to wear PPE.
Former police officer -now politician Mark Turner wrote to the attorney-general on behalf of the family.
He said: “The more this unravels, it wasn’t just Steven and his family, it went on before as well.
“[Makes me] sick to my stomach and it’s more as a father, your job is to protect your children.”
According to a statement by Worksafe, it is investigating the case after new evidence emerged alleging the problem was reported to the police before the girl’s hospitalisation.
The information also included details about the girl’s health, including medical comments confirming the possible link of her symptoms to mould exposure.
Thompson added: “We’ve had no compensation from NT Police and as I say, they’ve never admitted they failed us by ignoring our calls for help.”
NT Police said in a statement: “Worksafe is reviewing this matter and it’s appropriate we leave Worksafe to complete their enquiries.”
ICAC has also been notified.
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