Family Raises Awareness After Tragic Loss of Daughter

A mother from Arizona is grieving the unexpected loss of her toddler months after initially being reassured about her health. Aubrey Tenney, 32, recalls her daughter, Olive, as a vibrant child. Known affectionately as Ollie, Olive loved to swim, approached people with friendliness, and radiated joy.

“She was truly a ray of light,” Aubrey shared. “As a baby, she was calm and easy-going, but when she turned one, her lively, adventurous personality emerged.” Tragically, Olive passed away on November 1, 2023, at 18 months old. Despite an autopsy, the cause of her death remains inconclusive, leaving the family seeking greater awareness about such incidents.

Aubrey, who also has three other children with her husband David, recounts two distressing incidents that occurred prior to Olive’s death. During a family vacation in California on July 4, Olive’s lips turned blue as she fell asleep in her aunt’s arms. “My sister noticed something was wrong,” Aubrey said. After some immediate treatment, Olive seemed to recover, and a visit to urgent care indicated no serious issues.

Both the urgent care and the family’s pediatrician mentioned the possibility of a febrile seizure or dehydration. Febrile seizures are fairly common in young children and are triggered by a fever or sudden body temperature increase.

Then, on September 2, Olive had another episode. After dinner, while preparing to leave, Aubrey noticed Olive seizing in her car seat. Olive was quickly taken to a hospital, where it was found she had a slight fever. The family decided against further neurological tests, choosing instead to monitor her closely when unwell.

The night of her passing, Aubrey was informed by David that Olive wasn’t breathing. Despite hopeful thoughts and desperate efforts at the hospital, Olive couldn’t be revived. The family later learned about Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (SUDC). Some research, including a January 2024 study by NYU Grossman School of Medicine, points toward a potential link between SUDC and febrile seizures.

Aubrey now shares Olive’s story on TikTok (@aubreytenney) to increase awareness. “I want to bring awareness, not fear,” she explained. The family celebrates Olive’s life annually, embracing her memory with traditions like wearing olive green and eating edamame.

“Olive’s memory is everywhere,” Aubrey said. The family honors her with olive-themed decor, and Aubrey ensures her children remember their sister as a lasting presence in their lives.