A 24-year-old elementary school paraprofessional and her 14-month-old daughter died Sunday in a house fire in Bartow County, while the father survived but suffered burns, officials said.
The Cartersville Fire Department was sent to a home on Oakdale Drive just after 3:30 a.m., according to a news release. Crews were notified after arriving that two people were trapped inside.
Firefighters arrived within minutes and encountered heavy fire and smoke. After searching through the house, crews found the mother and child unresponsive and took them outside where Metro EMS personnel were waiting, the release said.
The child, Lennon Hammonds, was pronounced dead at the scene. Cartersville fire officials said her mother, Taylor Hammonds, was taken to a local hospital and then to a burn center in Austell. She died later that day from her injuries. The Bartow County coroner told northwestgeorgianews.com that both died from smoke inhalation.
The father, Brady Hammonds, was also taken to a burn center, authorities said. No update was provided on his condition.
Taylor Hammonds was a special needs pre-kindergarten paraprofessional at Pine Log Elementary School, according to Bartow County Schools. She was a graduate of Adairsville High School.
“Calm, gentle and patient; they’re all characteristics that made Taylor Hammonds an extraordinary special needs pre-kindergarten paraprofessional at Pine Log Elementary School,” the school district posted. “Her unexpected passing instantly left a void in her classroom and school community that can never be filled.”
Several friends and colleagues posted about Hammonds, including the school’s principal.
“She was a young mother and loved her daughter, Lennon, more than anything,” said Sharon Hibberts, Hammonds’ friend and colleague. “I think her strong maternal instincts helped her with her relationships with the pre-K children.”
“Taylor was so good at what she did,” added Jannell Atkins, another close friend and colleague. “Being a natural nurturer to these sweet kids and our team is what completed our team. Taylor loved these kids as her own.”
Principal Tracey Alford remembered Hammonds’ “sweet, soft-spoken demeanor and unconditional kindness. If there was a need, she jumped in to help without asking.”
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
Neighbors told Channel 2 Action News the family had recently moved into the home.
“It’s just a very bad situation,” Cartersville Fire Department Battalion Chief Hagen Champion told the news station.
Champion’s department is working with the State Fire Marshal’s Office to determine the cause of the fire.
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