Voinjama City, Lofa County, has been thrown into mourning following the tragic death of two-year-old Naomi D. Tarnue, who reportedly died after accidentally swallowing a coin.
According to information from the community, the toddler was rushed to Telewoyan Memorial Hospital for emergency care after the incident. Despite medical efforts, Naomi later died as a result of internal complications linked to the swallowed coin.
Residents say the incident is the first recorded case in Lofa County in which a child’s accidental ingestion of a coin has led to fatal complications. During Naomi’s burial on Tuesday, several parents noted that while children have been known to swallow coins, such objects often pass through the body naturally. However, Naomi’s case ended in a tragic and painful outcome.
Naomi has since been laid to rest, as grief continues to grip her family and the wider Voinjama community.
In response to the incident, residents are urging parents and caregivers to stop giving coins to young children and to keep small objects out of their reach to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
