Murrieta Family Mourns Toddler After Misdiagnosis

MURRIETA, CA — At just 18 months old, Annalina Rose Stewart was described as a loving, happy and smart toddler who often said "hi" to anyone she encountered in her hometown of Murrieta. But on Nov. 1, just two days after seeing a Temecula doctor, the bright-eyed girl who loved animals and books suddenly died.

Now her parents, Courtney Durham and Dallas Stewart, want justice. Their daughter, they believe, was misdiagnosed.

A student at the University of Phoenix, Durham said it all began Oct. 30 when Annalina woke up screaming and crying. Durham said Annalina's regular pediatrician was unable to see her that day but referred her to another office. The doctor to whom Durham was referred told her Ananalina had the flu.

Two days later, after Annalina stopped breathing in the morning, Durham rushed her to a local hospital.

"I was doing CPR on her until we got to the hospital," Durham said. "When we got there, the doctors worked on her for almost an hour and couldn't bring her back."

Five days later, an autopsy indicated Annalina had intussusception, a rare but treatable intestinal disorder that occurs when a portion of the intestine folds and one segment slips into another. The disorder affects between one and four of every 1,000 young children in the U.S., according to kidshealth.org.

Durham declined to name the Temecula doctor she said misdiagnosed her daughter but said she was angry when she received the results of the autopsy.

"I was mad, because the doctor told me she just had the flu and blew me off," Durham said. "I trusted the doctor to tell me what was going on, but she brushed me off. I feel like I'm living a nightmare, but it's reality."

In an effort to help Durham and Stewart, family members launched an online fundraising campaign to pay for memorial services and hire a lawyer to determine if any action can be taken against the doctor.

"We just want justice for our daughter," Durham said. "But, we've been really overwhelmed with the cost of memorial services."

Durham said friends and family have donated about $3,000 so far, but they hope to raise $10,000.

"My boyfriend and I are very thankful to everyone who has helped us," Durham said. "We don't have a lot of money, and I'm taking a leave from work right now, so every little bit helps."

Regardless of how much money is raised, Durham said she just wants her daughter to be remembered for her warm personality and the joy she brought to many lives.

"She would do anything to make you smile," Durham said. "If she did something that made you smile, she would do it over and over again just to keep you smiling."

The Murrieta mother also has one piece of advice for other parents: Listen to your gut.

"If you think something is wrong, don't wait," Durham said. "I never would've thought something like this would've happened. I thought the doctor cared. She should've cared."

To donate to the family, go to GoFundMe.com.

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--Photos courtesy of Courtney Rose