5-year-old girl in coma after dog attack, community raises money to help family

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A 5-year-old girl in Independence was mauled by a pit bull while playing in her backyard.

Aletha is at Children’s Mercy Hospital fighting for her life in a medically induced coma.

The child suffered a fractured skull, broken collarbone, broken rib and significant loss of blood and oxygen from the attack. Doctors fear permanent brain damage.

A GoFundMe created by a colleague of Aletha’s father is circulating to raise support for the family.

“Thomas said she was strong,” said Andy Davies, a colleague. “That’s one of the reasons they’re encouraged because they know she’s going to fight.”

Andy Davies

While Aletha’s father Thomas takes some time off to concentrate on caring for her. His colleagues began raising money to help them with any financial obligations that came their way.

Davies said: “We are a small business… a mom and pop business. We try to treat each other like family and look out for each other. Thomas needs to take some time off from work and we want that too.” Make it as easy as possible for us. We know there will be costs.

The family spends every moment by their daughter’s side, but the community helps them and Aletha through it all.

“She’s just a little girl. That’s one reason why we wanted to do it. I think you think about it, even if you don’t have children, whether you have an adult, younger child, a niece or a nephew, whether you’re older, and have grandchildren, friends who have children… that hits home me very close,” said Davies.

Aletha remains in a coma, but doctors hope she will pull through.

The fundraising goal is $100,000 to cover medical and other financial expenses for her care.

KSHB 41 reporter Alyssa Jackson covers parts of Johnson County, including neighborhoods in Overland Park, Shawnee and Mission. Share your story idea with Alyssa.

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