Ava Gushee's brief life carries on in many ways

[Maine-ah]

ROCKLAND (Aug 29): Ava Renae Gushee's life may have been brief, but for her mother, Kirby Gushee, it was a life full of possibility and love.

In the wake of Ava's death last week, her mother is holding on tight to the memories she has of her daughter's personality and quirks. She is also buoyed knowing that her daughter's death ultimately gave hope of life to three other children through donation of her organs.

Ava died Aug. 19 from injuries police said she sustained two days earlier at the hands of her father, Robert "BJ" Harford Jr. Ava was just 9 weeks old when police said her father admitted to becoming frustrated with the infant and allegedly threw her to the floor in her home, causing head injuries the baby died of two days later.

Kirby was at work that Sunday night, Aug. 17, when Harford called her to say Ava wasn't breathing right. Earlier that afternoon, Kirby had snapped a picture of a smiling Ava propped up on a pink pillow, flailing her chubby little arms in excitement.

http://www.knox.villagesoup.com/Community/story.cfm?storyID=125472


This family lives across the street from where I used to live, I also know one of the little babe's uncles. :cry: Rest now sweet baby, and know that a community of people that you never knew loves you. :cry:

[Midlodemocrat]

1. Oh, God. How could anyone do that to a beautiful little baby.

RIP Ava. :cry:

[Maine-ah]

2. I don't know Midlo, I just don't know.

all he had to do was put the babe in a safe place and walk away. Call his GF, call 911, something other than what he did.

[Midlodemocrat]

7. I cannot for the life of me imagine hurting one of my babies.

And, both my girls had colic. BabyMidlo would get it right about supper time and most of the week, Mr. Midlo was gone. I just put her in the sling and let her cry while I fixed dinner for the other two and bathed them.

Tried everything for TM with the colic. But, she was my only one at the time, so she could get all my attention.

My little one doesn't seem any the worse for me not responding to her crying. It about killed me, though.

[Maine-ah]

8. I've been very lucky with my little one. No colic, and a wonderful

baby. We are in the terrible twos now, and when she gets mad a Mamma, she bites me. I put her aside, and say no biting and I walk away and let her throw her tantrum. She then will come up to me, crawl into my lap and snuggle and hug me as if she were apologizing.

[lost-in-nj]

3. .....

:cry:

RIP Ava

lost

what a beautiful little girl......

[Gormy Cuss]

4. How sad.

She had a very sweet face.

[Shell Beau]

5. Oh how sad!

She didn't stand a chance.

[ThomCat]

6. That is so horribly tragic.

:cry:

Why do people have kids who aren't prepared to nurture and take care of them? :(

[SidneyCarton]

9. As the father of a little girl myself...

I know that a crying child can be frustrating, but there is absolutely no excuse for such an act. It is beyond the pale, disgusting in the extreme, inexcusable, unforgivable, horrific and despicable.

Excuse me, I need to go home now and hug my daughter.

:cry:

[driver8]

10. I wish I could go home right now and hug my children, too...

That is so, so sad.

[Maine-ah]

11. I think we all agree with you Sid,

hug your daughter tight. :hug:

[Mad_Dem_X]

12. NINE WEEKS OLD???!!!

This child only lived for nine weeks? Jesus H. Christ, what in the HELL is wrong with people??? :argh:

[skygazer]

13. Oh, hell

Words can't even express.... :cry: