https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/first-pic-teen-mum-who-23343678?utm_source=mirror_newsletter&utm_campaign=12at12_newsletter2&utm_medium=emailFirst picture of teen mum who died hours after having baby from 'unknown pregnancy'
Tragic 18-year-old Danielle Jones, whose newborn son Danny remains in hospital, had an "unknown pregnancy" and died after paramedics and police were called to her home in Bristol
ByChris KitchingSenior News Reporter
10:13, 19 JAN 2021Updated10:20, 20 JAN 2021
This is the first picture of a teenage mother who died shortly after giving birth to a baby boy at home. Police are treating the death of 18-year-old Danielle Jones as unexplained as her son, Danny, who was named after her, remains in hospital with his father, Ozzy Godfrey, at his bedside. Friends said Danielle didn't know she was pregnant, and a GoFundMe page set up by a loved one described it as an "unknown pregnancy". Devastated Ozzy, 18, has posted heartbreaking photos of two-day-old Danny in hospital as he wrote on Facebook: "I’m having a baby boy, what Dani would have wanted. Such a shame she won’t meet him."
He added: "Everyone meet Danny Godfrey, my baby boy. He looks just like his mother. I’m fighting for you little man, keep strong for me as well, don’t leave on me now."
Paramedics and police were called to Danielle's home just before noon on Sunday. She was taken to hospital, but died, said police. Her baby boy survived. Dad Ozzy, who had been in a relationship with Danielle for about two years, posted pictures showing the boy hooked up to machines in hospital. As he paid tribute to Danielle, who would have turned 19 in March, he wrote: "RIP babe I can’t believe that I have lost you. I loved you more than anything in the world. I will look after our little one that was born today (Sunday). I’m so broke I can’t believe it. I tried my best babe. I will make our baby proud of you."
Ozzy thanked people who have donated to a GoFundMe page set up to support his baby son and pay for Danielle's funeral expenses. Danielle loved horses and friends are raising money to pay for a horse and carriage to carry her body during a funeral procession. Ozzy wrote: "Thanks to everyone who is donating towards my girl's dream horse and carriage. She has always said that would be what she wanted at her funeral. It makes me so happy knowing everyone is helping. You have all been amazing and helped me and the family and Dani's family through it. Let’s keep strong and give Danielle Jones, my everything, the best send-off she could have."
The page stated: "Our beautiful friend Danielle lost her life and her baby boy Danny was brought into this world. Danielle loved horses and it would mean the world to the family if she got her horse and carriage send-off. She was so innocent and kind and it has been a real shock to us all. Danielle's beautiful boy baby Danny is still in the hospital and the family have nothing for him as this was an unknown pregnancy any help would be greatly appreciated. Let's give Danielle the send-off she deserves."
The GoFundMe page had raised more than £3,000 in just 20 hours. Friends told the Mirror that Danielle's newborn son Danny was named after her as a tribute to the mum he will never meet. One friend, who went to school with Danielle, hailed Ozzy for his courage and strength while mourning his girlfriend and being by his baby's side. She said: "Ozzy is so strong. I’m proud of him. I hope Danny is going to be ok, we’re all praying for him."
She added: "Danielle was caring and amazing. She always put a smile on your face when you were feeling down. And she always put other people before herself. I will miss everything about her - how close we was, how much mischief we got up together back in school and how much she made me laugh. She will be missed by many people. I refuse to believe she’s gone but she really is."
Another pal said: "I was really shocked when I found out, I couldn’t speak. I think Ozzy and the family are finding it hard. She was 18, definitely gone way too soon."
The friend added: "She was really funny and if you were sad, she’d always be the one to cheer you up. She had a heart of gold. She was always up for a laugh. She will be greatly missed and it’s a shame with Covid (restrictions) that not a lot of us can go to her funeral."
A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police said the young mother died after giving birth at a home. The spokesperson said: "We were called by the ambulance service to attend a property in Bratton Road, Bristol, at just before midday (on Sunday). A woman who was at the property was treated at the scene and taken to hospital, but sadly she has died. Her death is currently being treated as unexplained and we’re carrying out further enquiries."
A post-mortem is due to take place to identify Danielle's cause of death.