THE family of a 14-week-old baby who died in unexplained circumstances have paid tribute to the child in the wake of the tragedy.
Zaiidyn Burke was rushed to Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary on Saturday afternoon from his family's home in Dumfries before being transferred to Glasgow for specialist treatment. Doctors fought to save the little boy at Yorkhill Children's Hospital but he died on Monday.
Dumfries and Galloway Police are continuing their investigations into the circumstances of the death and are awaiting the results of a post-mortem examination.
Last night, as news of Zaiidyn's death spread, friends and family posted online tributes and messages of condolences to the youngster's parents, Lee Burke and Jade Caven.
Mr Burke – who proudly announced the arrival of his son on his Facebook page in July before boasting he "couldn't be any happier" days later – thanked people for their support.
He said: "Just want to say thanks to all my friends and workmates for their kind message during this sad and difficult time. It's at times like this you know who your friends are."
Mr Burke added: "Night night little man. Daddy will always love you."
On July 15, as he announced the birth, he wrote: "Just to let everybody know baby Zaiidyn is here, both Jade and Zaiidyn are doing well."
Then just days later, he added: "Life is excellent at this moment. Couldn't be any happier."
As his apparent joy turned to despair at the weekend, friends and family offered their condolences and support to the couple.
The baby's aunt, Kennedy Caven, wrote: "My beautiful nephew gbnf [gone but not forgotten]."
Shannon Anderson, a friend of the couple, posted: "Chin up Lee, he'll be watching over his mummy, daddy and beautiful big sister.
"I know who the brightest star in the sky is now and he'll be shining always. Sleep tight wee man. Much love xx."
Another friend, Michael Boyd, wrote: "Devastated for you Lee. They say the biggest tragedy in life is when a parent outlives their own child. Nobody deserves to go through what you just have. Thinking about you and Jade."
Rachel Boyes added: "Thinking of you all at this sad time. No words will be able to describe your pain at this time."
A Dumfries and Galloway Police spokesman said: "Our investigations into the death are continuing and we are treating it as unexplained.
"A post-mortem examination is being arranged to establish the cause of death."
The police spokesman added the procurator-fiscal at Dumfries has been informed of the death.
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