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A devastated mother has opened up about the moment she found her son and ‘angel boy’ dead in the family bathtub after he suffered a medical episode.
Hayley Madigan, a single mother to boys Harrison, 12, and Archer, 9, had her entire life turned upside down when tragedy struck at her home in Banksia Park, north-east Adelaide, last Monday.
Adelaide’s mother found her nine-year-old son unconscious in her family’s bathtub after having suffered a seizure, despite hearing him splashing and having fun minutes earlier.
Ms Madigan told Daily Mail Australia the day was like any other before her youngest son, whom she affectionately called her ‘Arch Angel’, died.
Hayley Madigan (left) has spoken for the first time about her devastation to find her nine-year-old son Archer (right) dead in her family’s bathtub after having a medical episode.
Ms Madigan said she can’t see any photos of her son other than him the day they got their guide dog, Alvin (the photo is the day Archer got his guide dog Alvin)
Archer had autism and was non-verbal, however Ms Madigan said that despite her son being unable to speak, he was “the happiest person I have ever met”.
He was playing in the family’s front yard, which Mrs Madigan had filled with sensory plants to keep her son happy, when dirt got into his eye.
“On Monday I picked him up from Modbury Special School, bought Subway cookies and then drove home,” he said.
“We were out in the front yard and he was playing like every day when dirt got in his eye and he started crying.
So I took him to the bathroom and washed his hair.
“She spent most of her time in the garden, seeking sensory stimulation from the garden and the water, which is why she loved to take baths.”
Madigan said washing her son’s hair was the last time she saw him smile.
She left Archer for a few minutes, but when she returned, her nine-year-old son had suffered a serious medical episode and drowned in the bathroom.
He was pronounced dead shortly before 6 p.m. on December 5.
Ms Madigan said washing her hair in the bathroom was the last time she saw her son’s angelic smile, as when she returned minutes later, he was dead after suffering a medical episode and drowning just before 6:00 a.m. pm on December 5.
After his death, Mrs Madigan said that she had no choice but to demolish her bathroom because she could not bear to go in there and did not want her brother Harrison to have to wash in the room in which his younger brother died.
“In life, Archer had three things he loved the most: being on the front lawn, taking a bath and taking rides in the car,” said Ms Madigan.
“Although she was nine years old, she was so, so innocent because of her condition, so her love was so pure and she passed it on to everyone she met.
“He was the happiest and most beautiful boy and everyone is grieving his death, not just the family, but everyone who knew him.”
“Archer was just the most beautiful little angel and still is, and the outpouring of support and response to his passing is so pure and beautiful, it’s very Archer.”
Ms Madigan said she was in the process of destroying the family bathroom after her son’s death.
She said she couldn’t bear to go in there and didn’t want her other son, Harrison, to wash in the room where his younger brother died.
The grieving mother said that her son, from the moment he was born, looked like an angel and touched everyone who met him.
Ms Madigan said she picked him up from Modbury Special School on December 5, took him home and then, after getting his eyes dirty from playing in the front yard, took him for a bath.
“My little boy had a very happy nine full years and a fulfilling life and I think it’s important to remember that,” she said.
“Since he was born he looked like an angel, I called him Archangel because he seemed like something out of a painting, and that’s how I want people to remember him.
“Everyone in his life gave everything they needed, everyone loved him so much and the support from the community is very moving and very healing and I’m honestly impressed.”
Ms Madigan said she still can’t venture near the bathroom and can’t look at any photos of her son other than his the day they got their guide dog, Alvin.
“It’s the only image I can bear to look at, as it is the day that changed our lives,” he said.
“In that photo, Archer looks at me so happily, since it is the first time he has walked alone without me by his side.
“It’s just a very special photo for our family.”
After Archer’s death, the family requested that their guide dog Alvin, a six-year-old black Lab, stay with the family.
After Archer’s death, the family requested that their guide dog Alvin, a six-year-old black Lab, stay with the family. Guide Dogs Australia granted the family’s request
Guide Dogs Australia granted the family’s request.
The family hopes to have the new bathroom finished by Christmas and Archer’s funeral will take place in the next few days.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help Mrs. Madigan with running costs while she’s not working to support Archer’s older brother, as well as give herself time to grieve and help cover some of the costs associated with renovating the bathroom.
GoFundMe has raised more than $14,000.
A GoFundMe was set up to help Ms. Madigan with ongoing expenses while not working to support Archer’s older brother, as well as give herself time to grieve and help cover some of the costs related to renovating the bathroom, raising more of $14,000.