TAVARES, Fla.— A Tavares family is coping with the loss of a nearly 15-month-old baby who tragically passed away Saturday.
Remington “Remi” Papke died Saturday after being found unresponsive before daybreak Saturday morning, his grandmother, Monica Davis, told Inside Lake. Remi was sleeping with his dad, who utilized a bed rail, and Davis believes little Remi may have become caught in between the bed and the rail and may have suffocated. The family is awaiting results from the Medical Examiner.
Around 5:30 a.m., Remi’s dad, Anthony “AJ” Papke, 23, ran into Davis’ room at the home they share in Tavares, distraught, and told her something was wrong with Remi, as he handed him to her while her husband called 911. Davis, who is certified in CPR, laid him on the floor and began life-saving efforts.
“He was warm. I really thought he was good,” she said. “He was so warm.”
EMS responded, treated Remi at the home and transported him to AdventHealth Waterman in Tavares, where he was pronounced deceased Saturday morning, according to Davis.
“He was a great little boy, so smart at such a young age. He was so young and had such a bright life ahead of him,” Davis said about her grandson. “He was just getting his little personality.”
Davis is no stranger to tragedy and said she knows the grief will get worse before it gets better, and even “when it gets better, it never goes away.” She lost her husband in a fatal crash in 2020.
“Never in a hundred years after that happening, did I think something else crazy like this would happen.”
Choking back tears, Papke, Remi’s dad, spoke to Inside Lake briefly Sunday morning about his only child.
“He’s just such a perfect little boy.”
Remi loved his juice, drinking multiple cups a day and he enjoyed climbing, playing, learning and just being a kid, his dad said. He recently celebrated his first birthday, just a few months ago, on Aug. 25 with a smash cake.
“He was my everything,” Papke said, “he changed my whole world around.”
A fundraiser has been established to help with expenses while Remi’s parents grieve. If you’d like to donate, click here.
Papke shares custody with Remi’s mother, Mackenzie Hoffman. He said she is devastated by the loss of her little boy—a pain that was evident when she spoke to Inside Lake Sunday afternoon.
Papke called Hoffman around 5:30 a.m. Saturday, waking her with the news that Remi was unresponsive. She rushed to his house, hoping it wasn’t true.
When she arrived, her worst fears were confirmed: Tavares Police Department and EMS were already on scene. Remi was in an ambulance receiving care, and he was transported to AdventHealth Waterman, with Hoffman following behind.
Despite repeated life-saving efforts at the hospital, Remi was pronounced deceased. Hoffman held her son’s hand as she told him, “Please be safe on your route to Jesus,” she told Inside Lake.
Tavares Police Department is investigating, which is standard procedure, TPD Public Information Officer Courtney Sullivan told Inside Lake.
“Our hearts are heavy, and we are deeply saddened by this tragic loss of a young life. The investigation is in its early stages, and we are working closely with the Medical Examiner’s Office to determine the circumstances surrounding this incident. At this time, no further details can be released, as this remains an open and ongoing investigation,” Sullivan said.
