Parents warn others after infection of their daughter's ear that is deadly meningitis

MIDDLEBURY, Ind. – A girl from Indiana died of bacterial meningitis that her parents and her doctors had initially badumed to be a simple ear infection.

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Abbigayle Johnson, 10, died Wednesday of complications related to bacterial meningitis, reported WNDU-TV.

The girl's parents said her symptoms began Saturday with an earache. The Johnsons took Abbi to an emergency room, where staff diagnosed the girl with ear infections, said Abbi's mother, Tasha Dipietro-Anderson.

On Saturday night, Abbi was vomiting and had headaches, two common symptoms of an ear infection. But on Monday, Abbi had a crisis.

The Johnson returned to the emergency room. The staff looked at Abbi for the flu and then decided to pout for meningitis. The complications of the bone valve led Abbi to sink into coma.

On Tuesday, Abbi lost all brain activity. She died Wednesday night.

While they cry, Abbi's parents want other parents to be aware of the symptoms of meningitis.

"The child may complain of sore throat or earache," said Dr. Lydia Mertz, health officer from Elkhart County, Indiana. "Then they have muscle pains, their necks can be stiff, they can have trouble nodding or moving, they can have aches and pains."

Abbi's parents decided to donate his organs.

"I wanted something good, so we donated his organs," said Dipietro-Anderson. "I hope they can find recipients for everything."

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