Parents request ‘fearless’ inquest into baby’s death

The parents of Artemis Sanson, a 20-month-old baby who passed away at a hospital in Kent, have appealed to a coroner for a “full and fearless inquest into what happened to him.” Artemis, from Chatham, was born with a hole in his heart and died on 9 June at Medway Maritime Hospital in Gillingham. During a pre-inquest hearing held on Friday, area coroner Catherine Wood requested statements from medical staff regarding Artemis’ care before his death. These statements were sought from personnel at Medway Maritime Hospital, Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital, and the South East Coast Ambulance Service. A four-day inquest into the infant’s death is scheduled to commence on 28 April. The coroner approved a request made by Artemis’ parents for an independent expert to examine the care he received. The parents released a statement subsequent to the hearing at Oakwood House in Maidstone. “Arty was and will always be our little warrior,” stated his mother, Storm Sanson. “In the face of every frightening thing he’s ever encountered, he always did so with a cheeky smile.” “We will forever be grateful to have been blessed with his strength, kindness and mischief.” She further noted that the family had been “devastated by the loss of Arty.” “We trust the coroner to conduct a full and fearless inquest into what happened to him.” “This review is part of an important process that will help us better understand what happened on the day that Arty died.” “We hope that the inquest will provide clarity and that lessons are learned so that other families are spared the terrible grief that we’ve been through.”