In Ohio, a couple is mourning the loss of their four-year-old daughter, Maisie Schmidt, following a rapid decline in health due to what was initially dismissed as a common cold. Despite being rushed to the hospital by her parents, Christin Brigadier and Patric Schmidt, after showing signs of a cold, Maisie’s condition worsened dramatically within days. She was admitted to the hospital, where she battled against the human metapneumovirus (hMPV), a virus similar to the flu but with potentially severe consequences, especially for young children.

As her condition deteriorated, Maisie was placed in a medically induced coma at Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, in a desperate attempt by doctors to save her life. She was on multiple forms of life support, fighting what her family described as “a war” inside her body. Tragically, Maisie suffered a massive stroke, leading to emergency brain surgery. Despite efforts to save her, including the removal of part of her swollen brain, her family was informed that there was nothing more that could be done. Maisie was taken off life support and passed away on March 26.

Her father, Patric, described Maisie as one of the most lovable people, whose only wish was for “everyone to love her just like she loves everyone else.” A GoFundMe page set up by her uncle, Michael Brigadier, raised over $26,500, surpassing its goal, as the community rallied to support Maisie’s grieving family. The loss of Maisie has left her family and all who knew her in deep sorrow, with her uncle expressing his disbelief and heartache over the tragic turn of events.