Did a routine trip to the doctor kill a healthy 12-year-old girl?



WISCONSIN -- A 12-year-old girl died Thursday just hours after a routine doctor’s appointment.

Her family is determined to find out what killed their healthy child.

“She was our sunshine. Our life. She made everyone happy,” said Rebecca Prohaska, her mom.

Meredith had a zest for life. It shows in her pictures. She was active and healthy so, what caused the 12-year-old’s life to be cut tragically short?

It’s a question her parents want answered.



“It’s like this empty hole in my life. It’s not going anywhere. And I don’t know how to fill it. I need her. I need to hug her,” said Rebecca Prohaska.

A few hours before she died, Meredith was complaining of a sore throat. Her mom took her to the doctor, who confirmed she had a cold.

While there, the 12-year-old also got the first round of the HPV vaccine. Afterwards, Meredith was tired and wanted to sleep. Her mom went to get her a carry-out. But when she returned, something was terribly wrong.

“When I got home, she had just thrown up, and was non-responsive on my living room floor. I performed CPR and she was taken to Waukesha Memorial where she died,” said Rebecca Prohaska.

“The only thing different about that day was that shot. I wish I would’ve known more about it before I agreed to it,” Rebecca Prohaska told WITI.

“It has to be that vaccine,” Mark Prohaska said.

These pictures and the memories are all Meredith’s family have left.

The family has agreed to let the medical examiner look at Meredith’s brain, which could offer clues to her death.