Coronavirus: Five-month-old daughter of New York firefighter dies from virus

‘One of the worst experiences as a parent is to go through the loss of a child,’ city fire department’s Hispanic Society says

The five-month-old daughter of a New York firefighter has died of coronavirus, her family says.

Jay-Natalie La Santa, the newborn of Jerel La Santa, and his wife Lindsey La Santa, died on Monday, making her one of the youngest victims of the virus.

Jose A Prosper, president of the New York City Fire Department Hispanic Society, announced her death in an Instagram post.

It described how Jay-Natalie had been given the nickname “warrior princess” by her father for her effort fighting the disease.

“One of the worst experiences as a parent is to go through the loss of a child,” Mr Prosper wrote.

“Rest in peace little one, God bless you. Please keep the La Santa family close in prayer and for peace during this difficult of times.”

A GoFundMe page created for the parents to help fund medical costs from Jay-Natalie’s stay in hospital has already raised more than $40,000 (£32,500).

Jay-Natalie was born on 27 November last year and died on 20 April, the baby’s grandmother Danielle Monique wrote.

Jay-Natalie was described as “a little person with a big personality”.

“She loved to be sung to, enjoyed watching bright colours, hearing mommy and daddy’s voice, being kissed and hugged and most of all being rocked to sleep,” the post read.

“We thought we were having a baby, but had an angel instead,” Ms Monique wrote.

It has not yet been independently confirmed Jay-Natalie died from Covid-19. The Independent has reached out to the family for comment.