Bereaved father Simon Mizzi among those offering support after baby dies in car
Simon Mizzi, who lost his son earlier this year, shares solidarity message with parents
A father of a child who drowned in a pool three months ago is among those who have shared messages of support for the parents of a baby who died in a car.
The one-year-old boy was found dead at around 2pm on Thursday after being left in the car at Mater Dei for five to six hours.
His mother had mistakenly believed she had dropped her son to childcare, two sources have told Times of Malta.
Simon Mizzi, whose son Noah died after falling into a pool in July, encouraged the child's parents to surround themselves with people who will give them courage and support in the days ahead.
"We are with you," he posted on Facebook. “In our prayers and in our thoughts. And we pray to your angel and ours, that you may find the strength you need."
Lydia Abela, the wife of the prime minister, also shared a message about the incident saying that the family is "going through a tragedy and sorrow that is not easy to imagine.”
She also noted that Friday marks World Mental Health Day and encouraged people to remember that you never know what someone is going through behind the scenes.
"And if this moment of sorrow is to mean anything, it should continue to remind us that we all, every day, go through invisible battles," she added.
"Behind every disaster, there is pain that is not visible. There is fatigue, confusion, heaviness — often all hidden behind a smile or behind silence.”
She encouraged: “Love should always be our first natural response.”
Sarah Bajada, partner of the Opposition leader, also posted a reflection on the tragedy and its emotional toll.
She said that as a mother, the news of the baby's death broke her heart and encourged people to be careful with their words in the wake of the incident.
“So today, let’s pause before we type. Let’s show empathy instead of hate especially with this mother,” she said, pointing out that people can get overwhelmed.
“A parent juggling love, responsibility, work and exhaustion, juggling too much, carrying invisible pressure that no one else can see. Someone giving endlessly until there’s nothing left to give. Mental overload is real," she said.
She encouraged people to choose kindness.
Sources told Times of Malta the parents, both hospital staff, have two other children.
A police investigation is underway and a magisterial inquiry is being carried out.