GRIEVING parents who lost their months-old baby last year say they have been dealt further emotional distress after being told to "remove everything" from their late daughter's grave.
Kilwinning couple Caitlyn Robertson and Clinton McArthur's baby girl Belle passed away in October when she was aged just three months.
Belle had arrived several weeks early - on July 7, 2025 - and the pair accused Crosshouse Hospital of negligence, which they claim caused her death.
They alleged that staff accidentally cut off Belle's oxygen, leading to cardiac arrest, which ultimately caused a major brain injury from which she never recovered.
NHS Ayrshire and Arran said the health board could not comment on individual cases, but a spokesperson said they were sorry that concerns had to be raised.
The tragic circumstances have had a lasting impact on Belle's family.
Caitlyn says that being asked to remove items from her daughter's grave, at Dalry cemetery, has now left them struggling to cope with the bereavement process.
The family has been informed that all items must be taken away by July 7, which would be Belle's first birthday, or council staff will take them away.
Caitlyn explained her feelings on the situation in an emotional video shared on social media.
She said: “We’ve had something on Belle’s grave since she died in October, we asked if it was an issue and they said as long as we cut the grass and maintain it, then it’s not an issue.
“I explained it is the only way I can cope because if my head goes into thinking that there’s bugs and everything in with my little baby, then I don’t think I can cope.
“We covered it up and made it pretty so we could sit and be with her and we could tell her we loved her.
“She’s causing no harm, it’s just there, yet they said if we don’t remove it in a couple of weeks they are going to come in and remove it themselves and ruin our little baby’s grave.
“All for what purpose? It’s not causing anyone any harm, it’s beautiful and it’s perfect. Hopefully we can stop this because I cannot live with my baby’s grave like that, because that’s not Belle and that’s not what it’s meant to be.
“This is all that we have left of Belle.”
The devastated mum has now launched a petition in a bid to stop North Ayrshire Council from removing memorial items from babies' graves.
Caitlyn added: "There is a pressing need for a rational dialogue between the council and the affected families.
"We advocate for a sensible approach that balances the need for maintaining public spaces with the emotional needs of mourning families.
"Simple solutions, such as establishing clear guidelines that respect both the community's aesthetic and the grieving process, can allow for a respectful compromise.
"We urge North Ayrshire Council to reconsider their approach.
"Let us work together to find a viable solution that honours the memory of all children and supports the families who cherish them."
North Ayrshire Council has apologised for the distress caused and says it is committed to trying to find a solution.
A spokesperson said: “We are extremely sorry that this has caused the family so much distress.
"That was never our intention and we will try and speak with them to explain our reasons and try and find some way of helping them.
"Hopefully we can find a solution that allows us to maintain the area and respect the other gravestones and burial areas, while providing the family a place where they can find comfort and remember Belle.”
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