Tragic Death of 12-Year-Old at Spokane Children’s Hospital Raises Safety Questions
Authorities are investigating a devastating incident at Providence Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital in Spokane, Washington, where a 12-year-old girl, Sarah Niyimbona, died after falling from a hospital parking garage.
The tragedy has left families, staff, and the community grappling with how such a heartbreaking event could occur in a facility responsible for caring for vulnerable children.
Sarah, described by loved ones as a compassionate and spirited middle schooler, had been admitted multiple times in 2024 following suicide attempts. On April 13, she somehow left hospital supervision and fell from the fourth floor of the parking structure, sparking urgent questions about patient safety protocols.
Safety Oversights and Lawsuit Allegations
Investigations have revealed possible lapses in essential safety measures. According to a lawsuit filed by Sarah’s family, critical systems such as continuous observation, video monitoring, and door alarms were not consistently maintained. The suit further alleges that hospital staff failed to properly supervise Sarah during the night of her death.
Her mother, Nasra Gertrude, expressed her anguish: “I ask what happened. How did she leave the room unnoticed? How did she reach the elevator without anyone seeing her? I trusted this hospital to care for my daughter, and they failed.”
Controversial Staff Dismissals
Following the incident, the hospital terminated 15 nurses, citing unauthorized access to Sarah’s medical records despite the staff not being directly involved in her care—an alleged HIPAA violation.
However, the Washington State Nurses Association has criticized the firings, labeling them retaliatory actions against employees who spoke out publicly after Sarah’s death. The state Department of Health continues its investigation into both the safety lapses and the dismissals.
Family Grief and Public Response
Sarah’s older sister, Asha Joseph, told PBS: “We don’t understand how this could happen. Why wasn’t anyone there? How was she able to leave?” A GoFundMe page created by Asha remembers Sarah as a “bright angel who lit up our lives,” while highlighting the family’s frustration over what they describe as negligence:
“An act of negligence led to her passing. Over the past year, Sarah courageously battled her mental health struggles, spending months in and out of hospital care seeking the treatment she deserved. It had been almost three months since she was last home before this tragedy occurred. The one place that was supposed to keep her safe failed her.”
Conclusion
Sarah Niyimbona’s death underscores urgent concerns about the supervision and safety of pediatric patients, particularly those with mental health vulnerabilities. The hospital’s dismissal of 15 nurses has sparked controversy over negligence, potential retaliation, and privacy compliance.
As her family mourns and seeks accountability, the case serves as a somber reminder of the critical responsibilities healthcare institutions carry—and the devastating consequences when those duties are not upheld.