DETROIT – One of the most heartbreaking stories out of the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis has been of the death of 5-year-old Skylar Herbert.
She was the first child to die from COVID-19 in Michigan. Her parents are both first responders, and on Friday, first responders paid tribute to her.
A procession of fist responders from several agencies spanned six blocks through the Herbert’s west side neighborhood.
“She goes to the school right over here by my house. So we came out to basically pay tribute too,” a resident said.
Skylar’s mother is a Detroit police officer and her father is a Detroit firefighter.
“She’s the Herbert’s baby, but she’s Detroit’s daughter and I think the way this came together shows that she was loved,” Detroit Fire Department Sgt. Samuel Moore said.
READ: Community shows support for family of 5-year-old Detroit girl who died from coronavirus (COVID-19)
Her mother, LaVondria Herbert, was 41 years old when she had Skylar.
“To know her was to love her. She was a beautiful spirit. She was friendly, she was loving, she was caring, she was funny. Just a really happy 5-year-old,” her mother said. “We just want everyone to know that she was a beautiful little girl.”
Her father is a Detroit firefighter. He’s imploring people to follow the stay-at-home order.
“We have to let the world know that this virus doesn’t care what age you are, what nationality you are, what political preference you have. It’s serious. And it will devastate you,” her father said.
Watch the report from Local 4 News at 5 below: