Toddler's survival story a true Miracle
Posted on 06/19/2002 7:35:09 AM PDT by MeekOneGOP
Toddler's survival story a true Miracle
22-month-old stranded in apartment up to 10 days after mother died
06/19/2002
ATLANTA - A 22-month-old girl named Miracle survived for up to 10 days after her pregnant mother died, rummaging through a pantry and cabinets for whatever food she could find, police said Tuesday.
Officers responding to a report of a foul odor and a swarm of large flies found her Sunday, standing next to her mother's body, which had decomposed so much that she had to be identified by fingerprints.
Miracle was released from an Atlanta hospital Tuesday, and doctors said she wouldn't suffer any long-term effects.
"Now we're just trying to figure out the next step," said her grandfather, James Stevenson, who has custody of the girl. "I have to take care of my grandchild and get a eulogy together for my daughter."
An autopsy indicated that Lawarna Stevenson, 26, died of complications from diabetes and hypertension. Her father said she had been ill for a while.
The medical examiner said Ms. Stevenson had been dead at least five days, but no one reported seeing her for 10 days. Atlanta police spokesman Sgt. John Quigley said the landlord dropped off a package at her door June 8, and unopened mail postmarked June 3 was in her box. On Sunday, neighbors knocked and called police.
"This had to have been just gruesome," Sgt. Quigley said. "I hope the kid doesn't have any memory of this."
It is unclear how Miracle managed to keep alive, but Sgt. Quigley said there was evidence she may have found food and soda.
"She had to have had something to survive for seven to 10 days," he said. "It appeared she'd been in the cabinets looking for food, and there were some soda cans laying around."
Kenneth Spencer, who lived one floor above the Stevensons, said they had moved into the apartment about a month ago. He said he last saw Miracle on Friday, looking at him from a window.
"That child was looking at me, probably asking for help," Mr. Spencer told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
One has to wonder where the father is...if the mothers family attempted to contact her during this time if she was ill...many things. Most importantly at this point though is 'Miracle'. Bless her heart.
That's an understatement!
Amen, this made my eyes tear up.
...Oh, right.
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