n February 2017, 21-year-old Shelby Carter saved her 10-day-old daughter, Keana, by strapping her into a car seat and dropping her from a second-story window as their Illinois home was engulfed in flames. Firefighters later found the baby safe on the ground—but tragically, Shelby was found dead upstairs. An autopsy confirmed she died from smoke inhalation.

“She loved every child she came in contact with,” her cousin said. Just a day earlier, Shelby had celebrated her 21st birthday and shared joyful posts about motherhood.

The community rallied in support, raising over $30,000 for Keana and her family. Shelby is remembered as a loving mother and a true hero.