A community is in sorrow following the tragic and heartbreaking accident that claimed the life of 6-month-old Ember Renee Southard.
She collapsed in the driveway.
It is always heartbreaking to report on the death of a small child, but Ember Southard’s memory should endure. Regretfully, this adorable newborn girl was never given the opportunity to walk, speak, or enjoy life’s little pleasures.
On March 14, under the most terrible conditions, her brief existence on Earth came to an end. Ember, who lived in Bibb County, Alabama, unfortunately died after being attacked by a dog, according to WFLA.
Ember was from Bibb County, but the incident happened at a family member’s house in Shelby County. Around ten in the morning on Friday, the attack occurred.
It all began when Ember’s mother, Anna, was scheduled to accompany her grandma to a doctor’s visit, according to Anna. The mother’s family convinced her that 20 minutes would be sufficient, even though she had intended to bring her daughter along.
When they got a call from the family member watching Ember, they hadn’t even checked in at the doctor’s office and had been gone for over twenty minutes. Southard came home in a hurry, trailing the ambulance.
Ember already looked dead when she met her daughter. Her knees were bleeding from the impact as she dropped to them on the driveway. When she heard the phrase “dog attack,” she immediately discovered that Ember had been attacked by an 11-year-old American Bully, a dog who had spent a lot of time with kids and had never hurt one.
A pet for the family
Southard rode at the front while Ember was hurried to the ambulance. Despite her deep-seated knowledge that her daughter would not live, she pleaded for Ember to be alright. As soon as she saw Ember’s bluish, still corpse, she knew.
Despite their best efforts, the Children’s trauma team informed Southard that her daughter’s survival was extremely doubtful before Ember was brought to the operating room. Southard persisted in urging Ember to live despite their dire prognosis. Despite the efforts of more than a dozen medics, Ember died at 1:10.
The dog that attacked was a family pet, according to the police. There were two dogs in the residence at the time, and animal control put them both under a 10-day quarantine right away.
The sad incident is currently being investigated by the Alabaster, Alabama Police Department. Since officials are awaiting the Shelby County District Attorney’s and Grand Jury’s judgments, no arrests have been made.
Ember’s mother, Anna, told WLFA via email that a family member had dozed off with Ember on their chest.
“Her smile was the sweetest.”
The dog mauled Ember when she slipped off. After Ember was already in the ambulance, the family member, who has epilepsy, has a seizure.
Southard remembered how sweet his daughter was. She had the cutest shriek and the greatest smile. Ember was a delight. What a nice baby. She always had large, lovely eyes and a little smile. She detested being damp or chilly. The sensation of wiping my daughter’s blood and covering her body with warm blankets to keep her warm is beyond words. After Mom went away, the only people who saw her were my grandparents and me. Until she was as warm and clean as possible, I wouldn’t let anyone else see her.
Noodle was Ember’s nickname. Because of her little, noodly toes as a newborn, the moniker simply stuck. A little noodle. An ideal noodle. She had a large following. Ember was a master at grinning at you and then spitting in your face. Her voice was the finest. Rolling over was a new skill to her. Nobody who ever met her didn’t fall deeply in love with her. She had large, sparkling eyes and wild red/blond hair. No infant was ever more ideal than my noodle.
Even though her first instinct was to file charges when she was upset and furious, Anna says she won’t be doing so. She does, however, declare that she will never forgive this family member for dozing off while holding her daughter. Never.
It might have been avoided
Anna thinks that this terrible catastrophe could have been avoided.
“Because they were unable to adhere to a basic [expletive] rule, my daughter is gone forever. I never let my kids be around dogs like that, and I always adhere to safe sleep guidelines. I always hold them under supervision. I will not be actively pursuing charges since I do not think they should be continued. I believe that they will be punished for the rest of their lives by knowing what they did to my daughter. An accident occurred. An accident that could have been prevented is nevertheless an accident.
To assist the family with funeral costs, a GoFundMe page has been established, and numerous people have contributed. However, Anna is pleading with anyone who wishes to assist right now:
“Holding their babies closer is the most important thing the community can do for me.” Observe safe sleeping practices. Don’t let any dogs near your infant. A baby can be killed by any dog. There’s no reason to take the chance. Never is it worth it. Please, please, please keep your kids away from dogs and make sure they sleep safely. At eleven years old, this dog had never hurt a person, much less a child.
Anna, I’m so sorry for you and your family. Words are absent. Peace be with you, tiny Ember!
