An Arizona couple is living a nightmare after their young toddler died in a tragic accident. Jafria Thornburg was moving her car when she unintentionally ran over 13-month-old Cyra Rose Thoeming, her daughter. The mother believed the child was in a safe place when she was accidentally killed.
The Yavapai County Sheriff's Office announced the child's death in a news release on July 7. Loved ones rallied around the family to help raise their spirits and funding to help with young Cyra's final expenses. Her father took to social media to share a tribute to his daughter and how his life will never be the same.
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The accident happened July 6.
According to the sheriff's office, Cyra was sitting in her car seat when her mother decided to move the car out of a tight spot. She put the baby on the ground in what she believed was a safe place.
"The vehicle was parked in a gravel area next to the residence. While maneuvering the vehicle out of a tight space, the mother had positioned the child, within the car seat, in an area she felt was safe. While repositioning the vehicle, the front tire caught the canopy of the car seat, causing it to fall backward which led to the infant suffering critical injuries," the release reads.
Thornburg called 911.
The terrified mother called for help, and when emergency personnel arrived, they attempted life-saving measures on Cyra. She was pronounced dead at Verde Valley Medical Center.
The sheriff's office said YCSO Criminal Investigations Bureau is looking into the incident and authorities would not comment further.
Relatives created a GoFundMe page to help the family.
T.J. Warren wrote that he was creating the fundraiser to aid with final expenses for Cyra and lovingly remember the very young child.
"In her short, beautiful life, she loved being outside, nature, playing with her family,animals and the water. There isn't anyone who didn't smile their biggest after spending just a moment with her," the page reads. "It didn't matter how you felt, she would make your day better."
The family was overwhelmed by the generosity of strangers.
Cyra's family disabled the fundraiser when it hit more than $18,000. Her father, Michael Thoeming, said they never expected to raise so much money.
"We would like to announce that we are putting a closure to this donation now. When this page was created, the intent was to only ask for whatever individuals felt in their hearts to give, with very little expectation. The response we have received to that was so far beyond anything that could be conceived," he wrote. "It is overwhelming and we want all of you to know that what you have done will be remembered forever, and I truly pray that every single one of you may take away from this that you have changed our family's world and given us hope in a time of deep darkness. In the days to come, please continue to pray for us as we will do the same for every one of you. God bless you, you sweet and wonderful souls. Thank you so, so much."
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Loved ones shared tributes to Cyra on her dad's Facebook page.
Michael Thoeming changed his profile photo on Saturday, and many commented with their love and prayers for the father.
"My heart aches for you and I'm praying for you in every single way imaginable and then some my friend!" someone wrote.
"My niece! You and jafria didn't deserve this! I'm so sorry I love you so much please God be with my brother and his wife please God take cyra into your arms as we cannot," another person wrote.
"There are no words… sending you all the love in the world during this tremendously difficult time," another comment reads.
