A U.S. mother saved her baby daughter’s life as at least nine members of the same Mormon family were killed in northern Mexico, according to reports.
The Daily Mirror report that 31-year-old Christina Johnson and at least eight relatives – six of whom were children – were gunned down by drug cartel members near the U.S. border.
The victims, members of a break-away Mormon community that had settled in northern Mexico, were travelling in three separate SUVs on their way to a wedding when they were attacked.
Johnson was found dead in the car, though her baby, seven-month-old Faith, was discovered alive after being “thrown on the floor”, according to the family.
It’s said one of the vehicles exploded as gunmen opened fire, killing a total of three mums and six children, including twin babies.
The Mirror’s report details how baby Faith was rescued after having spent hours in the car with her mum’s body. Keisha Johnson, a relative, posted to Facebook: “This sweet baby girl was found alive! Her momma saved her life! She is an angel!”
Another family member, Alissa Jones, wrote: “CHRISTINA’S BABY FAITH WAS FOUND ALIVE!!! The rescuers made it to the vehicle.
“She was found thrown on the floor. She seems to not have any immediate life threatening injuries.”
Family members state the gunmen attacked the SUV convoy about 70 miles south of the U.S. border, near the small village of Bavispe. Five of the victims were named as mum Rhonita Maria LeBaron, 33, her six-month-old twin babies, Titus and Tiana, and two of her other children – Krystal, eight, and Howard, 10.
Anther woman, Dawna Langford, 43, and two of her children, were also killed.
The governments of the Chihuahua and Sonora states say an investigation has been launched, though an initial search led by heavily-armed soldiers and national police officers was unsuccessful in finding the perpetrators.
Sonora Governor Claudia Pavlovich vowed to catch and punish the killers, tweeting: “I don’t know what kind of monsters dare to hurt women and children.”
Indeed, I don’t know what sort of monsters could gun down anyone, let alone a procession of women and children.
It’s truly a blessing that Faith survived. We’re sending all our thoughts and prayers in her direction.
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