A family in Dudley, West Midlands, UK, is seeking answers after their young daughter passed away at just 19 months old due to a large facial tumor that eventually affected her breathing.

Little Delilah-Rai Reid-Floyd passed away on August 10 after her condition became severe. Her parents, Kayleigh Reif (27) and Callum Floyd (29), said they first noticed a small pea-sized lump on their daughter’s face while bathing her in January.

The following day, they took her to a local medical practice in Dudley for a check-up. According to the family, the initial visit did not identify a clear cause for the lump, and Delilah-Rai was later referred to Russells Hall Hospital for further evaluation.

Over the following months, the toddler attended several medical appointments. At first, the lump was believed to possibly be a benign cyst. The family said they waited for referrals, tests, and specialist consultations, including an appointment with an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist at Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

In June, doctors carried out CT and MRI scans to examine the growth more closely. A biopsy was later performed to determine the exact cause of the lump.

The results eventually revealed that Delilah-Rai had soft tissue cancer, a rare form of cancer. By that time, the tumor had grown significantly and was affecting her facial structure and breathing.

Doctors considered surgery, but later determined that the procedure carried serious risks due to the extent of the condition. The family was informed that treatment would mainly focus on giving her more time and keeping her as comfortable as possible.

On August 8, Delilah-Rai began her first round of chemotherapy. However, the following day doctors noticed the tumor had grown rapidly, leading to further discussions about treatment options. Ultimately, the family chose palliative care so their daughter could remain surrounded by loved ones.

Delilah-Rai passed away peacefully with her family by her side.

Her parents have since instructed Fletchers Solicitors to review the medical care their daughter received in order to understand whether earlier diagnosis or treatment might have been possible.

Legal representatives said the review is still in its early stages and aims to better understand the timeline of care provided.

Medical organizations involved, including The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust and Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, have expressed their condolences to the family and confirmed that internal reviews are underway.

The family says that by sharing Delilah-Rai’s story, they hope to raise awareness and encourage attention to early warning signs in young children, in the hope that other families may benefit in the future.