4-Year Old Girl Back At School Weeks After She Was Shot In Head

CHICAGO HEIGHTS, IL — Some are calling it the "Miracle on 16th Street." The now 4-year-old girl who was shot in the head in Chicago Heights just three months ago returned to her school on Wednesday. Jojo was "back to her normal self" at the CMT Teach Me How Academy day care center in Chicago Heights, CMT pastor Rev. Cheryl Anderson said.

"It was awesome," Anderson said. "She is truly herself. She danced and danced and opened the dance floor for the kids."

Her daycare class had a birthday celebration with Jojo's favorite pizza and cupcakes, too.

"It was beautiful," Anderson said.

But the effects of the Sept. 10 shooting in the 1600 block of School Street, when Jojo was just 3, are still very much an issue for the young girl. She remains blind as a result and will need to learn braille. The school is now in need of a preschool teacher who knows how to teach braille, Anderson said, as they also seek to hire a full-time director.

But the Mokena-based OASIS For The Visually Impaired has already stepped in to help make Jojo's transition back into daycare and school go somewhat more smoothly. The organization founded by Kim and Joe Kuster generally serves adults with sight loss, but felt compelled to help Jojo.

"When we read our members the story of Jojo, it really touched their hearts," Kim Kuster said. "We wanted to raise funds to buy her some items to help her learn braille."

Kuster said Jojo was also gifted a talking clock "so she can always know what time it is."

"Some of the things people take for granted like that can be great challenges for those with sight loss," she added.

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Jojo will be back at CMT on Sunday for her first church service since the shooting, Anderson said. From noon to 2 p.m. she will "greet the people who prayed for her and sing songs."

Just surviving the shooting and then her quick return to school have had some at CMT calling the young girl their "Miracle on 16th Street," since CMT is located on the busy street just steps from Chicago Heights City Hall.

"We are all still praying for her," she said. "Praying for her sight to be restored."