Help Us Honor Sallina After a Tragic, Preventable Death

My name is Lila, and I’m writing this with the deepest heartbreak our family has ever known.

On May 13th, 2025, our sweet 19-year-old sister Sallina — disabled, non-verbal, and completely dependent on others — died in the most horrific and preventable way. She was left alone, trapped in her bed, and burned alive in a house fire. She died slowly, painfully, and without anyone trying to save her.

Sallina was in the care of a nurse from Aveanna Healthcare, someone whose job was to protect her — someone we trusted. But that nurse was not properly trained, and in the most critical moment, she failed in every way imaginable. That nurse walked away from her post, abandoning Sallina when she needed her most. A disabled person with no ability to move or call for help — and she was left to face the flames alone.

As if that betrayal weren’t enough, the first responders who arrived knew where Sallina was. They were told she was inside, in her room. But they didn’t go in. They told us later the room was “just smoky.” That wasn’t the truth. Sallina’s body was burned, and the fire took her slowly. They didn’t try to save her — and then they called it “unintentional.”

We know in our hearts: if she were a baby or small child, she would’ve been pulled out. But our disabled sister was treated like she didn’t matter — like her life was disposable. But it did matter. And we are going to fight to make sure Sallina gets the justice she was denied in her final moments.

Sallina was gentle, beautiful, and full of light. Though she couldn’t speak, she lit up when people entered the room. She felt love, joy, and peace — and that was all taken from her. Now we’re left planning a funeral we never imagined, trying to find a new place to live, and preparing to fight a legal battle to hold the people who failed her accountable.

We are asking for your help to cover:

• Funeral and burial costs to honor Sallina with the dignity she deserved

• Legal expenses to sue the healthcare agency responsible for abandoning her

• A new place to live, as the fire destroyed our home and left us with nothing

Please, if you can — donate. If you can’t, share Sallina’s story. Help us make sure her life was not lost in silence. Help us fight the people who failed her so that no other disabled person is ever left behind like she was. Help us honor Sallina’s memory, and help us get the support we need to start rebuilding after this unimaginable tragedy.

She couldn’t cry for help, but we can. And we will. We love her so, so much, our sugarplum.

Sallina’s life mattered. She deserved better. And we won’t stop fighting for her. Your kindness, support, and voice mean everything to us right now.

With love, heartbreak, and deep gratitude,

Lila & Family