Long Island Toddler Critical After Hit-And-Run
BAY SHORE, N.Y. (CBS 2/WCBS 880) -- A Long Island mother whose only child was struck by a hit-and-run driver is making a tearful plea.
The 20-month-old girl is fighting for her life Wednesday night as police search for the driver, reports CBS 2's Jennifer McLogan.
"Whoever hit my daughter, they need to come out and give it up," Latrisha Reid said. "That is an innocent little baby who got hit, and right now, she's laying there with tubes down her throat and in her head. I don't even know how you sleep at night."
LISTEN: WCBS 880's Sophia Hall Reports
Reid's love and worry for her only child, 20-month-old Shantir Reid-Robinson, is overwhelming. The young girl lies in critical condition in the intensive care unit, with her Long Island family surrounding her.
Family members say they're unable to comprehend that someone would run over the happy little girl without even slowing down near the Stone Water Garden apartment complex in Brightwaters.
"The vehicle was actually coming out of the parking lot of the apartments on Howells. It made a right turn to go westbound on Howells," Det. Sgt. Anthony Lavista, of the Suffolk County Police Department, said. "She was probably struck with the lower right portion of the vehicle. The vehicle didn't stop, from witness accounts that we have."
Shantir's godmother was watching her along a major thoroughfare – Howells Road. She turned her back for a second, and the toddler wandered off the curb.
Lavista said it was possible that the driver lives in the apartment complex and that the individual never knew they struck the little girl, WCBS 880's Sophia Hall reported.
Authorities said a dark-colored SUV, possibly a Ford Expedition, kept on going.
"It would be helpful if anybody out there knows anything, please, please, because my daughter is suffering right now," Reid said. "All I can do is pray. Family members are praying, friends are praying, and all I can do is be strong for her."
For now, Shantir's hopeful cousins await word of her condition. Her high chair, stroller and toys are ready for her too.
"It hurts to see my little one, my only little girl, laying up there in the bed like that," Reid said.
Shantir's grief-stricken mother says she hasn't left her little girl's bedside – singing her songs, stroking her cheeks, rubbing her legs. She's just hoping for a response – and praying for an arrest.
Police have strong leads and hope witnesses can help identify the driver of the SUV who may live, or was visiting someone, in the apartment complex.
