Melissa Mae Carlton ‘Trying to Survive While Drowning' After 2nd Child's Death
Melissa Mae Carlton has suffered more grief than any mother can imagine after losing two daughters in less than two years - but she's slowly trying to rebuild her life and help others who are struggling.
"I know I haven't said much since Christmas Day, but it will come," Carlton wrote via Instagram on Thursday, June 11, referring to her lack of visibility since daughter Molly died in December 2025 at the age of 5.
The influencer confessed, "The last almost six months have felt like trying to survive while drowning."
Carlton - whose daughter Abigail died in April 2024 at the age of 9 - explained that their family has been "dealing with grief, uncertainty, things I can't publicly discuss, and challenges that have tested us in every possible way."
"There have been some incredibly painful things behind the scenes," she continued. "But there have also been some incredible things happening too."
Carlton, who also shares daughter Lily and son Harry with husband Tom Carlton, revealed that while she's been absent from social media recently, she hasn't stopped fighting for change and understanding.
"I've been quietly working on advocacy efforts, awareness initiatives, legislative change and projects that I believe can help other families," she wrote, seemingly referring to PPA2 research and testing. (After her death, Molly was diagnosed with PPA2, a rare genetic genetic mitochondrial condition passed down by parents who are carriers.)
"Our sweet Abigail unexpectedly passed over to the other side on Thursday morning. There are no words to express how heartbroken and devastated we are," she wrote via Instagram at the time. "She was the sweetest most loving, generous, funny girl and we feel so grateful that Heavenly Father chose us to raise, teach and protect her until it was time to call her back to him. We will miss her so much here."
Following Abigail's death, Melissa has been vocal about her ups and downs with grief. She's also voiced support for the awareness of Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (SUDC), "a category of death for a child 12 months of age or older that remains unexplained after a thorough case investigation, including the performance of a complete autopsy, examination of the death scene, and clinical history review," according to the SUDC Foundation.
Amid her family's grief, Melissa suffered another loss when daughter Molly died suddenly in December 2025.
"On Christmas morning, our sweet Molly girl, and her big sister Abi were reunited. 💔," she wrote via Instagram at the time. "We are devastated. In disbelief. Confused and in shock. We are exhausted and shaken after a day filled with trauma and heartbreak."
In April, Melissa revealed that after "months of testing," they received a diagnosis and explanation for Molly's death - and perhaps Abigail's passing.
"We have learned that Molly had a rare genetic mitochondrial condition called PPA2, and we are almost certain Abigail had it as well," she wrote via Instagram. "It's not a structural heart issue, but a failure of energy at the cellular level, which can cause sudden cardiac events in children who otherwise appear completely healthy."
The influencer explained, "It is considered extremely rare, but it is also significantly under-tested. I believe there are many sudden, unexplained child deaths that go undiagnosed."
According to Global Genes, PPA2 affects cellular energy production and is a "known genetic cause of sudden cardiac death" in infants, children and young adults.
Melissa, who is now an advocate for both SUDC and PPA2 awareness, added that the rest of her family was "in the middle of testing" to confirm whether "anyone else actually has the disease."
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This story was originally published June 12, 2026 at 11:27 AM.