Latter-day Saint Life

LDS 14-Year-Old Shot in Head and Left for Dead Says "I'm Tougher than a Bullet," Family Shares Miraculous Recovery

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After two teenage boys allegedly shot Deserae Turner in the head and left her for dead in a canal ditch in February, Turner was released from Primary Children's Hospital Thursday. During her first public statement, Turner said she was tougher than the bullet "that was still with her." 

From the moment she went missing throughout her stay in the hospital, Turner's family has been asking others to keep Deserae in their prayers. And despite the horrific events, April Turner, Deserae's mother, has seen the hand of the Lord in her daughter's recovery.

In a family statement posted March 7, April shared: 

Through the blessings of our father in heaven Deserae is still with us and has made progress. We are so thankful for the hospital staff that have worked every minute of the last 19 days to keep Des alive and healing. Des is fighting so hard and we are grateful for the many small miracles along the way. . . . Our sweet girl has been through so much as she battled for her life and this will be a battle she fights for a long time if not for the rest of her life. We are so grateful for all the support and prayers on Deserae's behalf. We would like to thank our community and people all over the world for their prayers, love and support. We ask that you please continue to pray for her, our family and the other families associated with this tragedy.

On March 22, the family shared;

The prayers of so many have been answered as our sweet daughter is still here for us to love. We know that our Heavenly Father knows her and that He has a plan for her. We express endless gratitude to the medical team at Primary Children’s Hospital who continue to assist Deserae in the healing process and provide support not only to her but to our family.

We are grateful Deserae Turner is returning home, and we continue to pray for the Turner family.

Lead image from Deseret News
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