A mother of three who suffered a miscarriage at her home has expressed deep distress after alleging that she was instructed by the NHS to store her baby’s remains in a refrigerator.
Sheree Chanelle Wakeford-Knight, a 30-year-old shop employee from Bethnal Green, London, began noticing bleeding in early April while pregnant with her first child with her partner, Hassan Niyazi, 38. The couple, who discovered they were expecting in February 2026, became alarmed when the symptoms worsened during the bank holiday, leading to severe pain.
Despite their efforts to seek medical attention and eventually consulting with doctors, the couple tragically lost their child. However, the distressing experience did not end there, as Sheree was deeply affected by the advice given to her.
Sheree experienced the miscarriage at 3:30 am on April 13, five days following a visit to a nurse at Royal London Hospital, who, after a scan, indicated no apparent issues. Despite multiple attempts to seek help, including calls to emergency services, Sheree recounted being instructed to store the fetus in the fridge until she could transport it to the hospital. The remains remained in the fridge for nine days, resulting in decomposition.
Recalling the ordeal, Sheree described the lasting trauma caused by the situation, stating that the smell of decay lingered each time she opened the fridge, affecting her deeply.
Following another incident of severe bleeding upon discovering she was pregnant with her fourth child, Sheree was initially reassured by medical staff at Royal London Hospital that the baby was healthy and breathing. However, her condition worsened, leading to distressing events on April 13.
Despite seeking assistance from medical professionals and emergency services, the couple faced challenges in getting timely help. Hassan, deeply affected by the experience, expressed dismay at the lack of support received when they needed it most.
Ultimately, on April 22, Sheree and Hassan visited the hospital, where a scan and pregnancy test confirmed the miscarriage. Sheree emotionally handed over the box containing their baby to hospital staff, highlighting the need for improved support for parents facing similar situations.
In response to the incident, a spokesperson from Barts Health NHS Trust extended condolences to Ms. Wakeford-Knight and emphasized the commitment to providing compassionate care. Patients dissatisfied with their care were encouraged to reach out to the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) for support or to lodge a formal complaint for investigation.
