A grandmother in Pennsylvania is opening up about becoming a full-time caregiver to her granddaughter. Tylicia Bell lost her only daughter in November 2024. The young woman was shot by her boyfriend when she was eight months pregnant. While her daughter ultimately didnât survive, they were able to save her baby. That didnât come without consequences to the childâs health. Now, Tylicia Bell is the sole provider for her granddaughter, and even though it has challenges, she is grateful for the opportunity.
Tanyiah Bell was killed on November 14, 2024, the Lansdowne Police Department said in a statement. The 19-year-old young woman was allegedly shot and killed by her boyfriend, 19-year-old Kaiheem Jerelle Williams. He was arrested for her murder the next day. Williams faces charges of murder, attempted murder, and other related offenses, and is due in court on July 22.
Tanyiahâs baby was born the same day her mother was killed, weighing only 4 pounds.
âWhen I first set eyes on her in the NICU, I just knew that she’s her miracle,â Tylicia Bell told WPVI. She named the baby girl Tanyiah Miracle Bell after her mother. âI knew that God left me something because I lost my only child.â
Bell wasnât sure if her granddaughter would survive after her mother was killed. âWhen Tanyiah got to the hospital, they got Miracle out within 5 minutes. When they pulled her out, she was gray,â she explained. âThey did CPR on her for 25 minutes, and they were able to get a heartbeat.â
Because she was deprived of oxygen at birth, the baby, who Bells calls Miracle, suffered a brain injury. Miracle also has cerebral palsy and a tracheostomy tube for breathing, among other health issues.
âShe may never be able to walk. She can’t blink; she can’t smile,” the grandmother explained. According to Bell, the baby “can’t react to us, but the doctors did say she has perfect eyes and perfect ears, so I know she sees the love, hears the love.”
Despite the challenges, Tylicia Bell believes her granddaughter will make it through. âShe’s a true fighter,â Bell said. âEverything she’s been through, we’ve gotten through. She’s been fighting through it, and we’ve been right by her side every step of her way.â
To help Miracle thrive, Bell has taken on the role of her full-time caregiver, but that comes with challenges of its own. According to a GoFundMe set up by Bell, much of the special equipment she needs isnât covered by insurance. She is using the funds to get a vehicle that will fit Miracle and her medical equipment, modifications to her home, and other items like a special highchair and adaptive gear.
âI wish my daughter was here to see this, but I know she’s watching over us and is like, ‘Mom, you got this,’â she said.
