Young mum, 19, says delayed surgery cost baby Kiandro's life as she demands answers from hospital: 'He would still be here'

By KYLIE STEVENS, SENIOR BREAKING NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA Published: 07:39, 29 July 2026 | Updated: 07:39, 29 July 2026 A heartbroken young mother has demanded justice following the tragic death of her newborn son, which she says should never have happened. Nikita Buhse, 19, was 32 weeks pregnant with her second child when she was rushed to Ipswich Hospital in Queensland's south-east on February 23 after noticing a decrease in her baby's movements.  She said her baby's elevated heart rate indicated fetal distress, while two ultrasounds showed no movement.  Three hours later, at 11pm, Ms Buhse said doctors told her she would undergo a caesarean section but would need to wait because another patient required surgery first.  Another two-and-a-half hours passed before Ms Buhse was taken into surgery. Her son, Kiandro, was born at 2.23am.  The next day, Ms Buhse was told Kiandro had suffered severe hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) - a type of brain dysfunction caused by a lack of blood flow and oxygen to a newborn's brain. He was later diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Her baby was transferred to a neonatal care unit on the Gold Coast, where an MRI confirmed he had severe brain damage. Kiandro required 24/7 hospital care during his short life before he died in his mother's arms at 11 weeks and two days old. Nikita Buhse, pictured with her mother and her baby Kiandro, has demanded justice after the tragic death of her newborn son Ms Buhse believes her baby, Kiandro, would still be alive today if her caesarean section at Ipswich Hospital in February had not been delayed Kiandro was described by his mother as the ultimate hero who brought an indescribable amount of love, light, and beauty into his family's lives Two months after his death, Ms Buhse said she was still seeking answers and felt let down by Ipswich Hospital.  'I wholeheartedly believe Kiandro would still be here today if they operated on me sooner,' the single mother told the Daily Mail. 'In my eyes, they have taken no accountability or urgency. I want accountability and justice for my son.  'They don't understand how this has impacted my life, and my family's lives.' Ms Buhse has endured nightmares and profound grief, which she said was compounded by a lack of communication about the possible need for an autopsy.  'I wasn't told about an autopsy until after he was cremated,' she said. She described Kiandro as a hero who brought an immense amount of love, light and joy into his family's life.  'Kiandro endured much more than anyone else would ever have to,' Ms Buhse said.   Kiandro suffered severe hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy and was later diagnosed with cerebral palsy and severe brain damage. He was 11-weeks-old when he died Kiandro required 24/7 hospital care during his short life 'He has a mum who loves him with her whole heart. A big brother that absolutely adored him and had to learn mortality through children's books.  'Kiandro had an amazing grandma who would've done anything she could for him.' Ms Buhse shared her story in the hope that no other family would endure a similar ordeal and set up a GoFundMe to raise money for a memorial plaque in Kiandro's memory at their local cemetery. 'I want to ensure no other mother has to go through this. At only 19 years old, I held my son as he passed in my arms,' she said.  'No mother should ever have to go through that.' A spokesperson for West Moreton Health told the Daily Mail an investigation has been launched. 'The death of a baby is an absolute tragedy, and West Moreton Health extends its sincere condolences to the family and their loved ones,' they said. 'A clinical review is currently underway. This is standard practice for unexpected adverse outcomes in healthcare. West Moreton Health said a clinical review is under way, and the findings will be shared with Ms Buhse as soon as it’s complete (Pictured, Ipswich Hospital) 'The findings of the review will be shared with the baby's mother once complete. It would be inappropriate to pre-empt the outcomes of the review.' Ms Buhse said she met with Ipswich Hospital officials on Tuesday but received no new information. 'Unfortunately, I haven't got any answers or further information at this point in time,' she said.  'I have plenty of questions, but I am saving them for the formal review so I can see their first reaction rather than a thought-out, planned reaction and answer.  'I want accountability. I want them to admit they did my son and I wrong.'