LEBANON JUNCTION, Ky. — A sleepy-eyed 3-month-old Raelynn Lilly could be heard crying outside the Lebanon Junction Community Center on Monday, surrounded by the men and women who saved her life.
A cry that only lasts a few seconds, until her father Anthony swoops her into his arms and rocks her back and forth.
A cry that is heard as a miracle to the entire community.
"She's a lot better than the last time I saw her," said Lebanon Fire Department Chief Adam Heath, as he looks over at the baby he helped save.
The last time Heath saw Raelynn was on May 6, when the fire department responded to a pediatric call for service. There, they found the 3-month-old, who had gone into cardiac arrest 10 times after allegedly being assaulted by a man who was supposed to be watching over her.
"It's not everyday you get to witness a child come back to life," Heath said.
Bullitt County EMS arrived on scene shortly after the fire department, who had Raelynn in the ambulance, performing CPR to maintain an airway for the unresponsive baby.
"Usually when a child is in that condition, it's rare to see a recovery like this," said Bullitt County EMS Director Chris Hale.
The first responders transported Raelynn from Lebanon Junction to Norton Women's and Children's Hospital.
The fire department and EMS were recognized and honored Monday night by Lebanon Junction Mayor Larry Dangerfield. Members were presented with plaques and applause, thanking them for their "heroic actions and lifesaving actions."
Raelynn spent three weeks in the Norton ICU before being released back to her mom and dad and a community waiting to cheer her on.
“It’s like your soul gets ripped out from you,” said Anthony Lilly, Raelynn's father. "She almost lost her life. Surprisingly, she wasn’t supposed to last 24 hours."
Bobby Crump, 41, who is known to the family, was arrested on May 10 for assault and criminal abuse of a child 12 or under.
According to the Bullitt County Sheriff's Department arrest citation, Crump was babysitting Raelynn when she was found unresponsive, not breathing and no heart beat. The citation said she was suffering from brain bleeds, retinal hemorrhaging, and spinal compression fractures.
According to the citation, Crump admitted to shaking Raelynn.
The citation says, "the defendant demonstrated an extreme indifference to the value of human life during this assault."
"Wondering why somebody would do something like that to an innocent child…it just, blows you away," said Raelynn's mother, Hailey Lilly, who said the family wants justice for their baby girl.
Both Hailey and Anthony said their baby would not be here if it weren't for the quick actions of the first responders.
But, Raelynn's fight isn't over. Both her parents said she's got a long road ahead of her with Shaken Baby Syndrome.
"Seizures, development delays, physical therapy occupational therapy, speech therapy…it took her two weeks to learn to eat from a bottle and she still has trouble with that," Hailey said.
Raelynn's road to recovery is already showing one sign of hope.
"She's always got a smile on her face," Anthony said.
And it's apparent Raelynn and her family have a community outside of immediate family rallying behind her, like motorcycle group "Defenders Against the Defenseless."
The group is hosting a "Ride for the Innocent" on June 23 to raise money for Raelynn's medical expenses, diapers, and formula. The ride will start at Beef 'O Bradys at 11324 Preston Hwy. and end at Long Branch Saloon at 135 S. Main St.
Wheels move at 1 p.m., motorcycles and cars are welcome to ride.
At the end of the ride, there will be a corn hole tournament at Long Branch Saloon, which is $20 to enter.
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