A tragedy that claimed the life of a young Pennsylvania mother has given rise to a story of sorrow, strength, and survival.
Nineteen-year-old Tanyiah Bell was eight months pregnant when she was fatally shot in the head by her boyfriend, 19-year-old Kaiheem Williams, inside her Lansdowne apartment on November 14, 2024.
According to police and ABC 6 News, Williams told authorities he had been smoking before blacking out and pulling the trigger. He called 911 after the shooting, and emergency responders rushed Bell to the hospital.
Despite doctors’ efforts, she was pronounced dead, but miraculously, her unborn baby was delivered via emergency procedure.
The infant, weighing only four pounds, was resuscitated after undergoing CPR for 25 minutes. She was named Tanyiah Miracle Bell, both in honor of the mother she never met and the uphill battle she began the moment she was born.
Now, Miracle’s grandmother, Tylicia Bell, is mourning the devastating loss of her only daughter while stepping into the daunting role of full-time caregiver for her medically fragile granddaughter.
Miracle’s health challenges are extensive. She suffered a severe brain injury due to low oxygen at birth, is currently hospitalized with a serious infection, and has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy. She requires a tracheostomy tube to breathe, cannot blink or react, and may never walk.
Despite this, Tylicia believes her granddaughter’s survival is nothing short of divine.
“God left me my Miracle,” she said. “I lost my only child, but He gave me her baby to love and fight for.”
Tylicia has launched a fundraising effort to cover the extensive and specialized care Miracle will need, including therapy, essential supplies, medical equipment, and modifications to make her home accessible.
A Story of Heartbreak and Hope
The incident has reignited conversations around domestic violence, maternal mortality, and the collateral trauma families endure in the wake of intimate partner gun violence. Advocates are calling for stronger support systems for young mothers and greater accountability in domestic abuse prevention.
As Miracle continues her battle for survival in the NICU, the Bell family is leaning on faith, community support, and prayer.
“She may never walk or talk, but she is here,” Tylicia said. “That’s a miracle in itself.”
To support Miracle’s care journey, donations can be made to the family’s official fundraiser via this GoFundMe campaign. Let’s keep Tylicia and Miracle in our thoughts as they navigate the long road ahead.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).
