A three-year-old girl, left to fend for herself after her mother suddenly died, survived for two days by eating cheese and leftover lasagne.
Shylah Silbery was found clutching her teddy bear by police, who were told by the toddler: "Mummy won't wake up".
Authorities had to coax Shylah to drag a coffee table next to the door so she could climb up and let them in.
Police visited the house in Wellington, New Zealand, after receiving a call from Shylah's uncle Pete. The 24-year-old had become concerned when he had not heard from his sister Lauren, who he spoke with on the phone every night.
But unbeknown to Pete, the 28-year-old mother was lying face down next to her bed while her daughter had to search for food. Shylah, who kept herself alive by drinking milk from the fridge, spent several days in hospital recovering from dehydration and nappy rash.
When she was released, the toddler had to attend her mother's funeral.
"When we lowered the coffin into the grave at the cemetery, she pointed at it and said, 'Mummy's in there'. It was pretty heartbreaking", Shylah's uncle said.
"She's doing okay now though. She's still bubbly."
The toddler's grandmother Heather praised her for faring so well in the traumatic experience.
"The fact she was left alone is what really rips into me the most", the grandmother added. "My little granddaughter was so resourceful. She was brilliant."
Authorities are still waiting for the autopsy results but are not treating Lauren's death as suspicious.