Bring McKenzie Home

Our beautiful daughter, McKenzie Steadman, was only eight years old.

To the world, McKenzie had severe autism, ADHD, was non-verbal, and had incredibly complex needs. To us, she was so much more than her diagnoses.

McKenzie was full of life, full of energy, and incredibly clever in her own unique way. She had the most beautiful smile, especially when she was around water. Whether she was sitting in a paddling pool or standing in the shower, the feeling of the water running over her head brought her pure happiness. Those moments were when she was at her happiest.

She adored watching Peppa Pig and Cocomelon, and seeing her laugh and smile while they were on made our hearts full. She was deeply loved by all of her family and brought so much joy into our lives.

McKenzie faced enormous challenges every day. She was under CAMHS and other professionals because of her complex needs. She struggled to eat and eventually required a feeding tube. She was prescribed different medications in the hope they would help.

There were also times when McKenzie seriously harmed herself. She would pull her own hair until her scalp bled. As her parents, we repeatedly asked professionals for more support because we were frightened by how severe her behaviour had become. We believed she needed more intensive help and continued to ask for additional support.

Then, in the early hours of one morning, our world changed forever. McKenzie passed away.

No words can describe the pain of losing a child.

Following McKenzie’s death, a police investigation began. We were arrested on suspicion of murder and rape. Following further investigation, the rape allegation was dropped, and the murder allegation was no longer pursued. We are now being investigated on suspicion of allowing a child to die in our care. We recognise that the investigation is ongoing and respect the legal process.

A post-mortem examination has been completed, but we have been told that the cause of McKenzie’s death has not yet been established. Further examinations of her organs and brain tissue are continuing.

Although those examinations continue, we have asked whether McKenzie’s body can be released so we can finally lay our daughter to rest. We have been told this could take many more months.

Every day we wait is another day we cannot give our little girl the peaceful goodbye she deserves.

This campaign is not about interfering with the investigation or asking for special treatment. It is about asking for compassion, dignity, and communication for a grieving family. We simply want to be able to hold our daughter one last time, arrange her funeral when the law allows, and begin the long journey of grieving.

We ask everyone to remember McKenzie for who she was: a beautiful little girl with an infectious smile, a love of water, Peppa Pig, and Cocomelon, and a family who loved her beyond words.

Please support our campaign, share McKenzie’s story, and help us bring awareness to the importance of treating bereaved families with compassion while investigations are carried out.

Bring McKenzie Home. Let our beautiful little girl be remembered for the joy she brought into the world, and let us give her the peaceful farewell every child deserves.