Christmas Tragedy Touches Hearts From Coast to Coast

LIVERMORE, CA — When police officers and firefighters in Livermore, Calif., responded to a Christmas afternoon medical emergency at a hotel room chances are they expected nothing more than a routine transport to a local hospital.

What unfolded that afternoon, however, was anything but routine for those involved.

Inside the room, first responders found a 39-year-old woman unresponsive. Her 6-year-old daughter, Karma, was alone as a result. Karma’s mother was taken to the hospital for treatment, but died later that day due to complications from a pre-existing medical condition, the Livermore Police Officer’s Association announced in a media release.

When officers and firefighters learned that Karma didn’t have a Christmas because her mother’s medical crisis began early that morning, they stepped in to buy the child gifts.

In the face of such loss, however, the first responders decided presents just weren’t enough. After learning Karma and her mother recently moved to California from Florida and the child was alone there after her mother’s death, they began a fundraising campaign to send the little girl back to her grandmother in Florida. They also hope to raise enough to cover transport for Karma’s mother’s body and to pay for her funeral.

To that end, a gofundme campaign was kicked off Monday. As of Tuesday afternoon, that campaign had earned more than $16,000 of its $20,000 goal.

Karma still remains in California, placed in foster care, until she can be reunited with her grandmother, Livermore Police report. What part of the Florida the family hails from hasn’t been released by the agency.

As money continues to come in to help the little girl, the Livermore Police Officer’s Association reports it is in constant contact with the family regarding Karma. Any money raised over the $20,000 will go into an educational fund for the little girl.

To donate, visit gofundme.

Video screenshot courtesy of the Livermore Police Department