Angel Babcock, 14 Months, Dies After Sunday's Tornadoes
Angel Babcock, the 14-month-old who captivated the nation by surviving being tossed 300 feet by a tornado, has succumbed to her injuries.
The little girl's family was killed in the tornado that struck Indiana on Sunday; Angel's two siblings and parents were killed instantly. She was found among their bodies in a field and immediately rushed to a local hospital. Initially the little girl appeared dazed but fine; her eyes were open and responsive.
Yet there was brain swelling, and even though she survived surgery, her body eventually began to shut down. "The family made the most difficult decision of their life this afternoon to remove life support. There was nothing else medically we could do," stated Cis Gruebbel, chief nursing officer at the hospital where Angel was treated.
George Lindsay, Angel's grandfather, told reporters, "Angel has been reunited with her parents. We want to thank God for all of you and for your thoughts and prayers. God will bring you and all of us out of this. This is what it will take. All should look to God."
"I had hoped that Angel was going to be the one to survive," said Angel's aunt Carol Brough. "I am a Christian woman, and I thought that if God had chosen to keep one down here, then it would have been her because of her name, but no. I guess the only good thing is that she would have had a life dealing with the complications from the injuries and at least she is at peace now."
Family, friends, and complete strangers around the nation were captivated by Angel's story, which offered some hope in the midst of the tornadoes' aftermath. Today, though, they are paying tribute to the little girl whose name now seems even more fitting.
"Sad news: The toddler found in the field in Indiana (Angel Babcock) has passed away! Please keep her extended family in your prayers," tweeted George Lindsey. "These next few hours are going to be extremely hard on them. Please continue to keep Angel Babcock's family in your thoughts," added Toni Konz.
