Why was MaKhia Bryant in foster care? She lived in a foster home and hoped to reunite with her family soon, the teenager’s mother Paula Bryant told NY Daily News.
Ma’Khia Bryant was shot and killed in Columbus, Ohio, after local police responded to a report of an attempted stabbing on Tuesday afternoon, April 20th.
Ma’Khia Bryant lived in a foster home
Ma’Khia’s aunt, Hazel Bryant, told The Dispatch that Ma’Khia lived in a foster home on Legion Lane, north of Chatterton Road in Columbus, Ohio.
According to Hazel, several women allegedly got into an argument with Ma’Khia and the girl sought help from the police, her biological father and her grandmother.
Meanwhile, Donavon Brinson, who is a neighbour living across the street, told The Dispatch: “They were calling each other the B-word so I figured it was just a girl fight,” Brinson said.
The report adds that Ma’Khia’s foster mother was at work during the shooting.
Why was Ma’Khia in foster care?
It is understood that Ma’Khia lived in a foster home temporarily, as her mother Paula Bryant revealed the girl “was looking forward to coming home” in the near future.
In an interview with NY Daily News Paula explained that Ma’Khia recently made the honour roll at her school and hoped to reunite with her family soon. Paula said:
“We hugged each other. She said ‘Mommy, I made honor roll. She said ‘Mommy, I’m looking forward to coming home. She was a very loving, peaceful little girl. Ma’Khia had a motherly nature about her, she promoted peace and that’s something that I want to always to be remembered.”
Foster care organisation issues a statement
Ma’Khia was under the supervision of Franklin County Children’s Services while she was under foster care, the organisation has confirmed.
The foster organisation issued a statement (via CNN), following the news about the teenager’s death, which read: “Ma’Khia was a foster child, who was under the care of Franklin County Children Services.
“This was a tragic incident and FCCS is continuing its involvement with the family throughout this difficult time.”