Melissa Mae Carlton and her husband Tom Carlton are enduring unimaginable grief after the loss of their youngest daughter, Molly, just months after losing their older daughter, Abigail Carlton. Sharing her heartbreak on Instagram, Melissa wrote that Molly passed away on Christmas morning, describing it as a bittersweet reunion with her sister Abi, who died in April 2024 at just nine years old after sepsis. Melissa revealed that Molly had long missed her sister deeply, often asking when Jesus would return so Abi could come back. While the family has not shared Molly’s age, her sudden death has shattered what was already a fragile season of mourning, turning Christmas into a symbol of both loss and faith-fueled hope.

In the days following Molly’s passing, Melissa shared that doctors now suspect a genetic heart condition may have caused Molly’s death and could also explain Abi’s sudden decline. She explained that hospital monitoring gave them answers they never received with Abi, and she chose to speak publicly in hopes of helping families affected by sudden unexpected death in children. Despite rapid emergency care, Melissa was told Molly’s cardiac event was likely unsurvivable. Now grieving two daughters, Melissa has been open about the emotional toll, admitting she feels numb, exhausted, and unprepared for this level of pain. Yet she continues to honor her children by reshaping family traditions—embracing a messier, warmer home filled with their ornaments, memories, and handmade keepsakes. For Melissa, Christmas is no longer about perfection, but remembrance, love, and learning how to live with loss while carrying her daughters’ presence forward.