Local

How you can help St. Marys baby who survived crash that killed parents, brother

ST. MARYS, Ga. — The community is rallying around a 6-month-old baby girl who was orphaned when her parents died in a head-on crash.

Action News Jax first told you Sunday when a family of four was hit by a wrong-way driver.

A close friend said this happened on the child's mother’s birthday.

TRENDING STORIES:

13-year-old girl shot, killed by 16-year-old boyfriend, police say 

Four dead, including St. Marys parents, 4-year-old son in head-on crash 

Maggie Hesling is the little miracle left behind from the tragic car crash. Although she has lost her mom, dad and older brother, she’s gained the support of hundreds of strangers.

“It’s so heartwarming,” Emily Burnside said.

Burnside was best friends with Maggie’s parents, Chris and Brittany. When the young couple died, she instantly began thinking of ways to help their daughter.

“We made a baby registry yesterday,” Burnside said. “We only put about 60 items on it, and I think within two minutes, it sold out.”

Burnside said she knew how much her friend wanted Maggie to be breastfed, so she decided to make a Facebook post asking for breast milk donations.

“I just made a post, and within hours, I had hundreds and hundreds of messages from moms all over --from three different states -- reaching out to help Maggie,” Burnside said.

STAY UPDATED: Download the Action News Jax app for live updates on breaking stories

Download WJAX Apps

She spent all Wednesday driving around, picking up the milk. She pulled over to FaceTime us, saying she now has 3,000 ounces in donations.

“I actually have a waiting list right now, because I didn’t have too much freezing space for it,” Burnside said.

She adds that the outpouring of support for the couple’s little girl has been overwhelming. Her hope is that everyone can continue to pitch in, so Maggie is taken care of for a very long time.

“We’re all just so hurt,” Burnside said. “So what the community is doing to come together for Maggie means the world to us.”

To learn how you can help, visit this GoFundMe link. The organizers say the funds will go toward raising Maggie and her college fund.


”Draft Draft Night in Duval: Thursday at 7PM on FOX30

Most Read