Most of Angel’s first eight years on earth were spent in an environment of abuse and neglect, and her life ended much too soon, but her CASA made sure the time they spent together was unicorns and flowers. Her CASA advocated for Angel for two years after the tiny girl was found and removed from her home by Child Protective Services after multiple reports were made to the agency.
At the age of seven, Angel was dropped off at her grandmother’s home, and her parents never returned. When investigators took Angel directly from her grandmother’s home to the hospital, Angel was found to be severely medically neglected, extremely malnourished, suffering from an inoperable tumor, and weighing about half what she should for her age. Angel had not seen a doctor or dentist for any reason in years.
Angel, nevertheless, was a very sweet little girl and beloved by the foster family who cared for her. She loved unicorns, flowers, the colors pink and purple, glitter and girly things, including bows. Her favorite flower was the daisy. She loved talking about animals of all kinds and spent time with her CASA going through flash cards of animal facts that she loved to share.
Angel was in foster care for two years, but returned to the hospital every couple of months for life-threatening health problems. Eventually, her weakened body could not recover, and she passed away.
The sweet girl’s memory lives on in the hearts of those who knew her, and now, in a beautiful piece of jewelry created in her honor.
To celebrate Angel’s life and the many children CASA serves, Leah Johnson of LJ Artisan Designs created a handcrafted necklace that captures Angel’s spirit and the hope CASA brings to children in crisis. Leah, a longtime supporter of CASA of Denton County, poured her heart into this design. The necklace is a tribute to Angel’s favorite things and a symbol of the love, advocacy, and hope that CASA volunteers provide children affected by abuse and neglect.
This meaningful piece was raffled during our Handbags for Hope event, which took placce on Saturday, July 26, at the Sparrow on Main in Old Town Lewisville. Proceeds from the raffle will help CASA recruit, train, and support more advocates who stand beside children like Angel during their most vulnerable moments.
