Girl, 3, eats leftovers for 2 days after mom dies

In this undated photo released by family, Shylah Silbery, 3, poses for a photo in New Zealand. / AP

Updated at 9:50 a.m. ET

WELLINGTON, New Zealand - A 3-year-old girl, alone for two days after her mother died unexpectedly in their New Zealand home, lived on cheese, leftover lasagna and milk and comforted herself with her teddy bear.

In this undated photo released by family, Lauren Silbery poses for a photo in New Zealand.

/ AP

The girl's uncle, Pete Silbery, told The Associated Press on Friday that the family last spoke to the mother, Lauren Silbery, on Oct. 19. Two days later, they were worried enough to call a friend who lived near the 28-year-old's Wellington home. The friend could see Lauren's daughter, Shylah, inside the home, but not the mother, prompting the family to call police, Pete Silbery said.

Police coaxed Shylah to drag a coffee table to the door so she could reach the lock and unlock the door, before she told them, "Mummy won't wake up," Silbery said.

"I can only imagine her in there for that long, trying to wake Mum up as well," he said.

Silbery said Shylah endured the two days alone by finding food in the refrigerator and holding her teddy bear, named "Possum."

Shylah spent several days in a hospital recovering from dehydration and diaper rash.

"She's doing OK now. She's still bubbly," he said. "When we lowered the coffin into the grave at the cemetery, though, she pointed at it and said, 'Mummy's in there.' It was pretty heartbreaking."

Authorities are awaiting the results of an autopsy but don't believe Lauren Silbery's death was suspicious, Wellington police spokesman Victoria Davis said.

[Blessed_Be]

First off, I am a pagan. I wear black clothes, and nail polish.
That does NOT make me part of some crazy satanic cult! This poor girl is going through HELL right now after losing her mother and all the public is worried about is the mothers religious status, Which is ridiculous.
Paganism is not bad, people just don't understand it. Paganism represents everything good in life... If you knew what you were talking about you would know that the pagan "motto" is "Do what ye will, but harm none"! Don't get me wrong there is black magic (which still doesn't represent a cult) But just because you have a pentagram around your neck and have on black clothes doesn't mean your in a satanic cult! The pentagram represents the elements (1 for each point on the star) Blessed Be!

[BoardwalkAngel]

This is really heart breaking to come on here to see everyone talking about the momma and what she is wearing around her neck,and what she is wearing on Facebook...Does it not state in the Bible:"Judge ye not by the fruit ye bear!"None of you have a manly robe thus for you have no right to Judge that belongs to the MAN up above!!!!Furthermore when this little girl gets old enough to get on the computer and she finds this about her mother instead of condolence and how brave she was,really how do you think this is going to make her feel????Folks we was not put here to Judge one another we was put here to love one another!!!My heart goes out to the little girl, and the family that reads this crazy stuff...My condolence and sympathy to you all...May God be there for you in this time of grief...xoxo

[druedae]

This poor little girl, and her mother also.
I hope it was an easy passing.
Also, for those of you confused about this woman's necklace..
it isn't Satanic, it positioned in its positive form.
It represents Earth, Wind, Fire, Water and Spirit.
It is associated with Paganism which, once again, is not Satanic though I believe the Gods which were worshiped in Paganism (Mind you there are different kinds of Paganism, and many Pagan Gods) were demonised by opposing religions in order to provoke fear and to aid in gaining new members to their own churches. Of course, I may of course be wrong, so anyone with better knowledge on this, please correct me where I am wrong.

[myoleman]

@karadoc, I never wrote that she was a bad mom or that she deserved to die. Those are terrible things to say of any person. Quite the contrary, I've read she was a really loving, caring mother, and I wish she was still alive taking care of her little daughter. I was just taken by surprise by the symbol on her neck. I regret now writing what I wrote. Whatever her religious persuassions, they're none of my concern. I do apologize sincerely for my unwise suggestions, I should never have wrote them, and would erase my comment if I could.

[karadoc]

ok I understand. just don't judge a book by its cover.

[KuraKaze]

It's only a pentagram necklace. A right side up Pentagram symbol means protection against evil or as a sign of faith for Pagan or Wiccan beliefs. In fact, I have a very similar necklace, and I have no affiliation to any religion. It could purely be decorative and not mean anything for her (I got the necklace cause I liked the star). Even if it does, it means that she might be into Neo-Paganism or Wiccan which is worshiping the Earth and nature, nothing wrong with that. You should google what it means.

[karadoc]

what you wrote is awful! Do you mean that because her clothes are different from yours she was a bad mom and deserved to die? your heart must be full of hate to say something like that. I'm very sad for her and her daughter.

[karadoc]

this was adressed to 'myoleman'

[myoleman]

karadoc, I never said she was a bad mom or that she deserved to die. Those are horrible things to say of anybody. Quite the contrary, I've read she was a really caring mother, and I wish she was still alive taking care of her little daughter. I was just taken by surprise by the symbol on her neck. I regret now writing what I wrote. Whatever her religious persuassions, they're none of my concern. I apologize sincerely, and would erase my comment if I could.

[barbaram99]

Is that all ye can pick at is the necklace the woman is wearing..The small child has lost her Mum..Now she will be placed somewhere to live. How do ye explain death to a very small child..I really don't know.
One the things thar happen at the blind centre in Portland ME years ago was a blind man was very sick and taken to hospital..I member the sfaff coming to my room to talk to me about it as the blind man was in the next room..I told her Don't bother with yer lies as ye know as well as I that Norman is not coming back..I knew he was going to pass.die at hospital.. I was 28 then. As legally blind I knew death IS apart of life.
Dear Child, Mummy is never going to wake up.We bury the dead. Some people die in their sleep and never wake up. Maybe that happened to yer Mum. If so that is the most peaceful way to pass/die. Children need to be told of death in words they underdtand.

[gilliamjf]

Baby boys and girls are so pure. Jaded/cynical adults must learn how to revert back to this mindset.

[SasukesEmoPrincess]

umm the pentagram around her neck is not a satanic symbol if you search it you will see that its not. If the point of the star was facing down then that would be a satanic symbol but if you look closely the point of the star is facing up toward heaven. And i dyed my hair jet black and i wear black clothes and black nail polish does that mean i am in a dark cult umm no i dont think so :I

[erasmus111]

I just looked at the picture and the pentagram she is wearing is NOT upside down. She is not a devil worshiper.

[erasmus111]

Oops. My comment should have been below. Sorry.

[myoleman]

Lauren Silbery, the dead mom, appears to have been involved in dark cultic practices. In photos of her released to the press and another one on facebook she sports a pentagram with a black string (a satanic symbol) around her neck. Her hair is dyed jet black, and her fingernails are painted black also. She wears black clothing only. Her photo in facebook is really intentionally scary-looking. The Lord Almighty ahve mercy on her little daughter and protect her from the evils of this wicked world.

[erasmus111]

"...she sports a pentagram with a black string (a satanic symbol) around her neck."


A pentagram is not a satanic symbol, unless it is upside down. Wiccans are not devil worshipers. And just because her hair, clothes and fingernails are black, that doesn't mean anything either.

[erasmus111]

I just looked at the picture and the pentagram she is wearing is NOT upside down. She is not a devil worshiper.

[debbie1120]

Sweet and sad story, poor baby. Prayers to the family and this precious little angel. God Bless you!