The family of the three children killed Oct. 30 near Rochester while boarding a school bus released a statement Sunday night updating the public on how the family is coping.
Alyssa Shepherd, 24, faces three counts of reckless homicide and one count of passing a stopped school bus resulting in injury after speeding past a bus stop arm, hitting four children and killing three of them: 9-year-old Alivia Stahl and twins Xzavier and Mason Ingle, 6.
The fourth victim, Maverik Lowe, 11, who is not related to the three other children, recovered in a Fort Wayne hospital before being sent home in late November.
A Go Fund Me page to help with Maverik’s medical bills and relief has reached $65,967 of the $100,000 goal as of this morning.
The four victims were students at Tippecanoe Valley School Corp.
The statement from Alivia’s parents, Brittany Stahl and Shane Ingle, reads in part: “We are honored for everyone all over the world who took the time to share their love, support and prayers. A parent never expects to bury their child. The heart ache consumes you and not just one child but three children at the same time. Our loss is more than what we can even express in words.”
It says Alivia was looking forward to turning 10 on Dec. 22. For her first double-digit birthday, she was looking forward to eating tons of “rainbow poop emoji cupcakes” with family, friends and classmates.
The statement continues, “Our daughter was such a beautiful soul. So caring and compassionate. Her passion was to help and bring joy to others. She was such a ‘Mother Hen,’ especially to her adorable twin brothers Mason Thomas and Xzavier Patrick Ingle.”
They said Mason was a mommy’s boy. His personality was so shy and caring and “his hugs could melt anyone’s heart.” Mason had a love for life and was an inquisitive child, wanting to learn everything about the world around him.
Xzavier, they said, was a daddy’s boy and his personality was one of a kind. He brought so much laughter with his comical sense of humor. He was adventurous and loved the outdoors.
“All three of their smiles were contagious to everyone around them. We always enjoyed our family time together at home or away from home. Our dining room table will forever hold memories that brought us together every night as a family. Every night we go to sleep without their hugs and kisses. And every morning we wake up to reality and wishing it was just a dream. We miss them so much. Our lives are forever changed. Not only did our three children die that day but a big part of us died with them.”
The statement says that with Christmas and Alivia’s birthday approaching, “our lives are filled with so much pain and emptiness.”
They wrote they will keep the memories of their children alive.
“Thank you to everyone who has been respecting our privacy in this time of grief. God bless each and every one of you,” the statement concludes.
Shepherd’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 5 in Fulton County.
