It’s incredible what becoming a mother does to your intuition. Your awareness is heightened, your connection to another human being is something that can’t be described, and above all else, you’ll do anything to keep your child safe.
That couldn’t be more true for a Wyoming, Illinois, mother whose quick thinking and love for her daughter saved her 12-day-old baby’s life. Those in her community as well as across the country are calling the mother Shelby Ann Carter a hero.
It all started just 12 days after Shelby gave birth to her baby. The 21-year-old new mom was in her bedroom on the second story of the house she shared with her mother when she made a horrifying realization: the house was on fire.
No one knows how much time passed between the moment Shelby realized she was trapped in a burning home and the moment she took life-saving action to save her baby.
Investigators say she probably only had seconds to make the bold decision. Whatever the case may be, Shelby realized she and her child were in danger, and she smashed through the glass of her bedroom window. Then Shelby strapped her newborn into a car seat and threw her off the second story.
Shelby was home alone with her newborn daughter when their home suddenly caught fire. It spread quickly and in just a few seconds the house was filled with dangerous smoke — and there was no way to escape.
Firefighters rushed to the fire-filled house, but when the flames were finally under control they made a horrendous discovery on the second floor.
Unfortunately, Shelby didn’t make it, she was killed by carbon monoxide intoxication from smoke inhalation. But miraculously, because of her quick thinking, her baby only had one minor burn.
With her last breath, she sacrificed her life for her daughter.
Shelby Carter is being hailed a hero after her quick thinking saved her newborn daughter’s life. A GoFundMe page set up to help Carter’s baby and her family has raised over $30,000 as of Saturday evening.
Watch the video below for more details:
Sources: OpposingViews, CBS News
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