Drugs are bad in many locations. They don’t only affect the users, but their families, as well. An Ohio family is now feeling those effects. A young mother of nine recently overdosed in her Middletown, Ohio, home and left behind children ranging from age 1 to age 14. Some of the children even witnessed the tragedy.
Jimeta Sanders was using heroin with two of her friends when she apparently overdosed in her kitchen.
Instead of helping their friend, the other drug users stole her money and left her to die in front of the kids. When an ambulance arrived, she was unresponsive, and they were not able to save her. The police recently captured the two men who left Jimeta to die and were also shooting up with her.
Police were upset to think that the children would have to deal with something so horrible at this time of year. They wanted to do something to help raise their spirits. Their father was already working hard to provide for them, but the family was barely getting by.
Middletown Police Chief Rodney said:
“Their father is a hard worker, he has tried to make ends meet but it’s a vicious cycle. They don’t have much, but nine kids at Christmastime, to lose their mother like that is just horrible.”
With such a tragedy happening and things already tough for the large family, the police assumed that they wouldn’t have a very good Christmas without help.
The officers decided to start taking donations for the family. They were just hoping to put some food on the table and some gifts under the tree for the Sanders. The response was not what they expected.
Dozens of people offered to help. They donated clothing, bedding, food, gifts, and even money to the cause. The generosity of the public overwhelmed the police department. They are now confident that the family will have a wonderful Christmas, even though they will still be struggling to deal with the loss Jimeta.
The police are still taking donations for the family and believe that they will need more than just gifts and food to get them through the holidays.
They will not turn down any donation, new or used, and say there is still plenty of time to help this family.
One officer said:
“We reached out to the world. Middletown started, and it went from there to ask for help for these kids. Man, the outpouring of support has been phenomenal.”
They shared information about the children, too. Their ages are 14 (girl), 13 (boy), 11 (boy), 10 (boy), 6 (boy), 5 (girl), 3 (girl), 2 (boy), and 1 (girl).
Originally, they were asking that donations be brought to the police department, located at 1 Donham Plaza in Middletown. However, they’ve received so many that they are temporarily halting them so they can sort them. However, they are still accepting money that can be used to help the family buy necessities and pay bills during this tough time.
People who want to make a monetary donation can do so at the Butler Heritage Federal Credit Union located at 660 N. University Blvd., Middletown.
The name on the account is “Kindness for Sanders Family.” They are also accepting checks, which should be made out to the Middleton Police Department or the City of Middletown.
They are determined to help this family have the best Christmas possible. The family will still have a lot of struggles ahead, but if the community continues to be supportive, they should have a lot of help getting through it. While nothing can easy the family’s pain and suffering from losing Jimeta, it may help ease the father’s burden a bit and hopefully help the children enjoy Christmas at least a little.
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Sources: KCCI, Middletown Division Of Police
