"Today there is a desire for clarity, a desire for justice to be done. If I stop, I'll stay there crying, and Domenico doesn't want that." With words full of pain and determination, Patrizia Mercolino presented herself at the entrance of the Prosecutor's Office of Naples to ask to be heard in the context of the investigation into the death of her son Domenico, the two-year-old child who died after a transplant of a damaged heart.Monaldi Hospital.
"We demand justice, the truth. Perhaps the time has come, they owe it to me," the woman reiterated, explaining where she draws the strength to continue what appears to be a grueling battle. "It comes from him. And let's not forget that I also have two other children; I must stand up for them too." A determination that doesn't erase the pain, but transforms it into a demand for answers.
Accompanied by her lawyer, Francesco Petruzzi, Patrizia Mercolino requested a hearing with Public Prosecutor Giuseppe Tittaferrante and submitted an audio recording deemed relevant to the investigation. The recording captures the moment she was informed of the outcome of an expert consultation that had determined the child was not suitable for transplantation.
"On that occasion, I asked how it was possible that Domenico had been considered eligible for a transplant until the night before," his mother explained, referring to the cardiac surgeon who had followed the child throughout his entire clinical journey until shared care was activated. This crucial step, now under judicial review, could clarify one of the most delicate issues in the case.
The story seems sad and complex to me, the mother is telling the truth but I don't understand why the doctors didn't explain everything; perhaps it was a mistake, or a miscommunication between the team and the family, and now the judiciary should be clearer, but I remain doubtful and confused, let's hope for answers for all the children.