‘Cheeky’ toddler died after being found unresponsive in bed – as devastated parents say his death ‘doesn’t make sense’
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A 'CHEEKY' toddler has died after being found unresponsive in his bed leaving his parents devastated, an inquest heard. Nadia and Marty Stapleton found Sullivan motionless in the early hours of December 16 2023 at their home in Emsworth, Hampshire. The toddler, known to his family as Sully, was rushed to Queen Alexandra Hospital in Cosham, Portsmouth.
![[Photo of Sullivan Stapleton, a 19-month-old boy.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/unexpectedly-passed-away-early-hours-963650718_f41c44.jpg?strip=all&w=785)
Professionals tried to regain his circulation but "despite resuscitation attempts" he died, an inquest heard. Yesterday, Portsmouth Coroner’s Court heard how his cause of death remains unknown. Area coroner Rosamund Rhodes-Kemp delivered an open verdict as she did not deem there to be enough evidence to determine how he died.
Heartbroken father Marty told the inquest: “I put him to bed and he was fine, he was laughing and joking, he was being his normal cheeky self and within four hours, he was gone. "We are now left with this massive, massive gaping hole in our family - It just doesn’t make sense.”.
Marty continued: “We didn’t get a chance to fight for him and that’s no one’s fault but we never got that chance. “As a dad, he was my best friend, he was my shadow and now it is just so difficult to know there is no reason for this. It comes with its challenges and without our three daughters I don’t know where we would be.
