Arizona Girl Dies in Mom's Arms Just a Week before Her 1st Birthday: 'We Didn't Expect This'

A single Arizona mother was excited to celebrate her daughter's first birthday when suddenly, the unthinkable happened. The mother held her baby girl and watched her take her last breath.

Anissa Machado was only 19 years old when she welcomed her baby girl, Milani Yasmine, into this world. The single mom was all set to fill her baby girl's life with unlimited joy, but fate had other plans.

Shortly after her birth, Yasmine was diagnosed with a rare condition called Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome, and the doctors revealed that she was born with a heart defect. Having multiple conditions meant life wouldn't be easy for little Yasmine.

The Loving Mother

While the sudden diagnosis did turn Machado's world upside down, she didn't let it stop her from being a loving mother. The young mom did everything to ensure her baby felt comfortable.

The doctors at her hospital in Tuscon, Arizona, kept little Yasmine in the NICU for months before she was moved to the CVICU in Phoenix Children's Hospital. Meanwhile, Machado ensured the hospital rooms didn't make Yasmine feel anxious.

Since little Yasmine sometimes had to stay in the hospital for days, she couldn't enjoy the sunlight or see the stars in the night sky. Machado didn't let that affect her baby girl. Instead, she decorated the walls to make her daughter feel like she was in a different place.

The Surgery

After Yasmine turned ten months old, the doctors said she needed to undergo open-heart surgery. As much as the thought of putting her daughter under the knife probably scared Machado, she did what the doctors said.

The little girl would have turned a year old on October 19, but something unexpected happened before her big day.

Yasmine underwent the surgical procedure on August 11, 2022, and the doctors allowed her to go home days later. However, she still needed constant special care, including a feeding tube, oxygen, and daily medicines.

Caring for Little Yasmine

Since it was difficult for Machado to care for her daughter and run her business simultaneously, her younger sister Bianca moved in with her. 18-year-old Bianca had lots of goals and ambitions, but she didn't care about anything when it came to her niece.

Bianca cared for Yasmine, while Machado ran her eyelash business to make ends meet. She started her business when she was 16, and now it was helping her cover her daughter's medical expenses. Machado's aunt, Amanda Rodriguez, said:

"[Machado] was so grateful that she was chosen to be Milani's mommy."

The Unexpected Event

"She loved being a mom and loved Milani more than anything," Rodriguez added. Machado worked hard day and night to ensure her baby's needs were met. However, she was unaware of fate's cruel plans that would separate her from Yasmine.

As days turned into weeks, Machado and her family looked forward to celebrating their adorable baby's first birthday. The little girl would have turned a year old on October 19, but something unexpected happened before her big day.

Machado's world came crashing down on October 13 after her baby's health suddenly deteriorated. The mother witnessed the most painful moment of her life when little Yasmine took her last breath in Machado's arms.

The Devastated Mother

"Even though every day was scary but at the same time, every moment was so beautiful with her because no matter what, she just radiated love and peace," the devastated mother wrote in a Facebook post. She added:

"There was chaos going on inside of her, but she was the most calm loving baby."

Machado never wanted to part ways with her baby, but she felt helpless because of fate's plans. Although Yasmine was in this world for a short time, she filled her mother's life with love and joy and gave Machado memories she would cherish for the rest of her life.

Sharing Her Experience

Machado shared her experience on Facebook and urged other parents to spend as much time with their babies as possible. She asked them to read books to their children and take pictures together. Toward the end of her detailed Facebook post, the mother said:

"Tears are flowing."

While writing about her baby girl, she broke down and said she felt proud that Yasmine chose to live with her. The heartbroken mother said there were "not enough words to explain this pain."

The Support

Rodriguez set up a GoFundMe page to help Machado cover her baby girl's funeral expenses. It was heartbreaking to see her niece prepare for Yasmine's funeral instead of her first birthday.

As of October 19, more than $2,700 have been raised out of $5,000 through 46 donations. People also left messages of support in the comments section.

Apart from friends and family, netizens were also shocked to learn about Yasmine's untimely demise. Here are some of the comments people left under Machado's heartfelt Facebook posts:

"Thank you for sharing how much love and care Melani received from the most important person in her life ― you."

― (@Alma Landa) October 17, 2022

"Oh, Anissa. I still can't believe this. I'm crying for you. I know it'll always hurt to have such a big loss like this. I hope you know your baby girl will always be beside you."

― (@Lina Anai) October 16, 2022

"She was so lucky and blessed to have you as her momma. I know there are no words to help with the pain, but I'm here if you need anything."

― (@Gisella Garcia) October 16, 2022

"You were the perfect mom for her, and you made her day joyous and filled with love and calmness."

― (@Teresa Figueroa) October 17, 2022

No mother deserves to experience what Machado went through. Our thoughts and prayers are with Machado and her family as they deal with the pain of this tragedy.

Click here to read another story about a New York boy who died after going to bed just two days before his birthday.