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  • Young Shooting Victim Recovering Save Email Print
    Seven-year-old returns to school on Tuesday
    Posted: 10:14 PM May 12, 2008
    Last Updated: 12:18 AM May 13, 2008
    Email Address: sixonline@wowt.com

    A | A | A

    Kaylia Relford became one of the city's youngest shooting victims earlier this month, hit by a stray bullet while she slept. The second-grader has gone through nearly two weeks of treatment and physical therapy.

    Kaylia will never forget May 2nd. She was awakened by the screams of relatives who heard more than 40 shots fired in the neighborhood. They soon discovered that several of the bullets not only hit their house, but one tore through the 7-year-old girl's left leg.

    Kaylia spent a week in the hospital and needed to use a walker for two days. "The first night she couldn't walk up any stairs and it's hard to pick her up and it's hard to take her to the bathroom because our bathroom is upstairs and her room is upstairs," says mother Julia Relford.

    Kaylia's jeans cover bandages and scars left behind by the bullet. "They're something else to look at," says Julia. "I mean every time we change them it just reminds us of what happened to her and she got to go through all that and it's like she's seven, this is not what she's supposed to go through."

    Amazingly, she's getting through it quickly. Kaylia is now jumping rope without a problem, although you can notice a slight drag in her left leg as she walks. Her classmates, she says, have been calling every day. "They miss me and they want me to come back to school."

    Her 3-year-old sister Malia misses her the most and doesn't want her big sister to go. Julia plans to return Kaylia to Saratoga Elementary School on Tuesday.

    As for the neighborhood near 39th and Spencer where the shooting happened, there was a noticeable police presence in the area on Monday and a group of volunteers were walking through the neighborhood praying with residents.

    Police have not made any arrests in connection with the shooting.

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    Posted by: Anonymous on May 13, 2008 at 05:29 PM
    let me know if there is any funds or how i might be able to donate. she is one tough cookie.

    Posted by: Anonymous on May 13, 2008 at 01:19 PM
    they are amazing way to go kaylia

    Posted by: Ms. J on May 13, 2008 at 01:17 PM
    If there is a fund sign me up to donate! I'm so relieved to see this child is okay just think this could have been anyone's baby!

    Posted by: anne on May 13, 2008 at 01:14 PM
    Way to go little one, keep up the positive outlook and continue to shine. your family has taught you well.

    Posted by: Chris on May 13, 2008 at 12:31 PM
    When is the violence going to stop? Someone needs to do something and fast to get these gang bangers off the streets. Heavier sentences or the death penalty is what I vote for!!!

    Posted by: w on May 13, 2008 at 10:51 AM
    this is a great example of people should be. This girl and her family should be rewarded/blessed. Is there a fund for them?

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