Girl Hit By Stray Bullet Declared Brain Dead

by Martin Bartlett

JUAREZ –It’s agut-wrenching decision for any family: should the parents take their three-year-old daughter off life support?

Police say neighbors celebrating the New Year fired a gun into the air. They say a bullet came back down through the roof of the family’s home. It ended up strikingMia Alvarado Rodriguezin the head.

The family said theywere aware that shots are normally fired into the sky during the holiday. They decided to go to sleep early that night to avoid any danger.

After they found out the girl had been shot, they tookher to a hospital that is part of the Mexican social security system.

After twelve hours of waiting, the family found out the girl did not qualify for care there. They then took the girl about six blocks away to the general hospital — where she was qualified for care.

However, the wounded girl’s wait did not end there. Doctorslost precious time debatingwhether or not they could do anything for her.

The girl’s father, Reyes Alvarado, said he remembers the tragic news the doctor told him. “She is in her final phases. The doctor told me wait to see how far her heart will go — it will stop beating,” he said.

The girl has been declared brain dead by doctors but still remains on life support. Her family is clearly aware of how serious her situation is and is coming to terms with the fateful decision they might have to make.

Juarez authorities are investigating the shooting as a murder but have not named any suspects.

Apair of accounts have been opened at the Banamex bank in Juarez to help the family with funeral expenses for the young girl.

Persons willing to donate will have todo so in person in Juarez, the family said.

To leave a donation in U.S. dollars, the account number is 0833-9032905 To donate pesos, the account number is 0833-6626251