STILLWATER -- A family has a glimmer of hope after police say a 2-year-old was accidentally run over by her grandmother on Thanksgiving. Family members say Merida Gibson is now out of the Intensive Care Unit.
Stillwater Officers say the grandmother didn't see the girl sitting in front of the car when the accident happened. She pulled forward and ran over the child. A GoFundMe page says she suffered face and skull fractures and injuries to her lungs and spleen.
Earlier in the day, before the accident, police say this family delivered Thanksgiving meals to working officers. Later, some of those same officers ended up on scene and prayed with family as Merida was airlifted to OU Children's Hospital.
Family friends say the toddler's mother and older sister were in town from Mexico visiting for the holidays. Merida's father remains in Mexico. They are trying to raise money to help bring him to the United States to be with his daughter. Donations will also help cover medical expenses.
Merida's aunt posted to Facebook saying the girl will have to wear a neck brace and full leg cast for about six weeks. They had to cut off the legs to all of her pants to fit the cast in and button down shirts are the only thing she can wear over her neck brace. They say they need more of each of those clothing items.
