Help Breanna Say Goodbye to Angel, “Bachata Baby” Amelia

I don’t have the right words for this. Nobody does. I can’t describe the extent of the pain and the devastation that family is going through…especially the most special person I have ever known…

Yesterday, I babysat my Amelia, my bachata baby, while my sweetheart niece went to work since her husband had to work late. I put on her favorite Spanish speaking honey bee cartoon, she played with my girls aka her besties and of course Romeo Santos’ bachata sang her to sleep. This was the first time I didn’t bachata her to sleep. I was so tired from working in the sun. So I just played it for her instead. I bonded with my grand baby so much when we danced. I smiled staring deeply into the most beautiful big brown eyes I ever seen. Imagining us sharing this love, dancing together throughout her whole life, watching her dance me under the table because I JUST knew she would.

From the moment I laid eyes on her coming into this world, I was completely mesmerized. Not just by how beautiful she was and the bond I personally felt instantly, but by watching my baby, my niece, Breanna, with her daughter just gave me the greatest sense or pride, love and adoration I have ever felt in my life . Breanna was born to be her mom. Anyone with eyes could see. I remember crying the first time they sat on my couch together. Just in awe of them. There was nothing more natural than seeing the two of them together. It soothed my soul to see…especially with what my niece has overcome in her life to get to their beautiful love and bond.

This is where all the words start to fail me and I just can’t explain. My sweet Bachata Baby left my house with her dad last night around 8:15pm. Breanna was still at work. I fell asleep with my girls around 9:30pm. At 9:54 pm Jim came rushing into the bedroom with his phone. Says it is Breanna. My brain said oh she is coming to get the stroller. “Amanda. I need you. My baby is unresponsive. Rodrigo is screaming! Can you come to Barnes?”

My brain couldn’t grasp that. I didn’t answer. What? My brain was not processing it. She repeated herself and I finally got my answer out that I was on my way.

Yesterday, just after 10pm, I saw the angel I watched come into this world lifeless in a hospital bed. I watched my niece break beside the baby body of the greatest love of her life, the one who she waited for her entire life. She did not say goodbye. They would not even let her hold her precious angel. It was the most painful experience of my life, and does not compare for one millionth of a second of pain to what Bre is going through now and for the rest of her life.

Amelia Scarleth Novoa was born on November 7th, 2024. She passed away in her sleep around 9:37pm on May 15th, 2025. She loved all of her bachata music, especially with Papa or Granny Bid, Abejita Chiquitita, bath time, her cat Jasper and most of all… She loved her Mama. Recently, she spoke her first word, “Mama”, and got her first tooth. She just celebrated her half birthday and really loved trying new foods with it.

Breanna is going to need a leave of absence from work. She is also going to have to say goodbye to her angel baby. Breanna recently spent her savings on a down payment on her home, where she planned to raise her babies. Breanna is also 14 weeks pregnant with her second girl also. Needless to say, she needs support and any help you can provide. Please, from the bottom of our hearts, anything helps. I am not sure how long she will be taking off work. We truly appreciate any help at all towards her loss in wages during this time and the cost of funeral services. My niece has to say goodbye to her baby.

I have been called “Granny” a lot throughout the years—with my tendency to fall asleep on the recliner at nine… but when I met Amelia Scarlet Novoa, I became who I knew I was supposed to be with her, too. Our hearts locked only that special way a granny connects to her grand baby. I instantly fell in love. Every time we danced together in the kitchen it felt like time stopped. It felt like we were alone together in this special little world. It was always magical spending time with her. Our eyes connected and we just knew each other’s souls or something. It felt like finding a long lost friend every time I babysat. Whether I was witch doctoring her digestive issues away, or just playing with her in the same silly way her Mama did—my grandbaby and I were connected. My heart is shattered. I wish I would have held her longer last night. We feel helpless. Our hearts are shattered.

Please keep our family, especially Breanna in your prayers. She is the most kind, caring, sweethearted, nurturing, strong, resilient person I have ever met. Thank you for all of your help and support during this terrible time.

(We will update with arrangements at a later date.)

Bre’s Venmo is also @Brenonnie if you prefer to send donation there!

Update: Thank you all again for the outpouring of love and support for Amelia and Breanna. All funeral expenses were covered and the remaining will go directly to Breanna so that she can stay home and grieve. Words cannot express how thankful we all for each and every one of you.

“When I was a boy, I would see things on the tv that scared me. My mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.' To this day, especially in times of disaster, I remember my mother's words, and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers — so many caring people in this world." —Mr. Rogers

Thank you all so much. We couldn’t get through this without you.

Amelia will be laid to rest on Saturday, May 24th, at Hughes Funeral Alternatives, LLC, visitation is from 9:30am until 11:30am. Amelia will be there for anyone who wishes to say goodbye, but also wanted to make anyone sensitive to viewing aware that it is in fact an open casket, with our sweet girl’s body present .

Hughes Funeral Allternatives

3211 Sublette Ave, St Louis MO 63139