Hannah Jacobs, who had been diagnosed with severe allergies to fish, eggs, and dairy as a toddler, had become adept at managing her condition throughout her life.
Ms. Duyile explained that she was very careful to ensure the drink was made with soy milk and not dairy, and that all equipment used was properly sanitized.
She remarked in a statement that was read out in court: “When I arrived at the coffee shop I said to the person serving that we both would like hot chocolate.”
After buying the drinks, the pair walked to the nearby dentist’s office, where Hannah took a sip of her hot chocolate while waiting in the waiting room.
In her statement, Ms Duyile said: “My initial response was of anger to the Costa Coffee staff – it gave way to terror.”
In response, Ms. Duyile hurried Hannah to a nearby pharmacy to obtain an EpiPen, suspecting she was experiencing an anaphylactic reaction.
At the pharmacy, a pharmacist administered the EpiPen to Hannah’s leg after she collapsed in the store.
After that, Hannah was admitted to the hospital, where, regrettably, her death was pronounced around 1 pm, according to the family’s attorneys.
Usually, she only ate meals that her mother or her aunt had carefully examined and prepared.
Dr Rahul Chodhari, who assisted in managing Hannah’s allergies, also testified before the inquiry.
More testimony will be heard during the inquest, and the coroner will then make a determination on Hannah’s death’s circumstances.
In honouring her daughter, Ms Duyile stated: “I know that she would have achieved anything she set her mind to. I loved my child so much and my heart is broken.”
