Pregnant Ohio teen paralysed after being shot during robbery
Teen went into early labour after gunshot wounds
An Ohio high school student was shot and paralysed during a robbery last week, and her family says she was nearly six months pregnant at the time of the shooting.
According to 13ABC and WTOL 11, police said the incident began on 6 June, when an 18-year-old Toledo high school student, identified as Angel, and her boyfriend, 19, drove to the city's Greenway Avenue to meet someone they had connected with on Snapchat.
Gunman demanded money during meet-up
A man wearing all black approached their car and held a gun to the 19-year-old's head, demanding money. The 19-year-old attempted to wrestle the gun away, and the man fired the weapon.
According to Angel's mother, a bullet struck her daughter in her left arm and then travelled through her side before lodging in her chest.
Baby missed 'by the grace of God'
Angel's mother told 13ABC that her daughter was 26 weeks pregnant at the time of the shooting, and the bullet missed the baby "by the grace of God." She said: "She has a spinal fracture at the 12th vertebrae, so she's paralyzed now. And that's going to be difficult enough — because she can't really use her right arm either — and she's got a baby on the way."
Family launches fundraiser
Angel's family has started a GoFundMe to assist with her medical bills, baby products and accessible additions such as structural ramps to their home, as the teen was paralysed in the incident and is using a wheelchair.
The fundraiser states that the teen also went into early labour from her gunshot wounds. Angel's family shared: "[Her medical team is] treating this as an emergency where the baby will likely be born very early," adding that she was awake and eating.
'Her biggest fear has always been paralysis'
The fundraiser continued: "Her absolute biggest fear in life has always been paralysis. Now, she is facing that reality while under immense stress, worrying constantly about how she will care for her newborn baby from a wheelchair."
It added: "Angel is taking this tragedy like a true trooper, fighting for her life and the life of her son."
Family preparing to help raise child
Speaking to 13ABC, Angel's mother shared that her family is now preparing to help the young couple raise their child while also assisting Angel amid her paralysis. She said: "It's the worst feeling in the world — to see your kid suffering and not being able to do anything about it."
