A
Wappingers Falls native is asking for help after he says his daughter
was shot in the face by a stray bullet while she slept at her mom’s house in
North Carolina.
“The
bullet pierced her shoulder, went into her face and came out through this
side,” said Michael Hinton as he gestured to his cheek.
Hinton’s
daughter, 8-year-old Aacuria Hinton, was sleeping in her bunk bed at her
mom’s house in Greensboro, North Carolina, in January when she was hit by a
stray bullet in the face.
“Mom’s
door got shot out and another bullet shot through the window,” said
Hinton.
Hinton
is from Wappingers Falls and worked for five years at Vassar Brother’s Hospital
in Poughkeepsie.
He’s
now living in Albany and on family medical leave from Albany Medical Center
while caring for Aacuria who is back at home on the mend and happy,
despite the horrific ordeal.
He
says the little girl has permanent damage
to her face and lost part of her jaw, teeth and tongue.
She
spent two months in the hospital, had three surgeries and needs two more.
Her
dad is hoping a
GoFundMe will help cover medical supplies and home care that
he’s paying for out of pocket until her new insurance in New York kicks
in next month.
So
far, it’s raised more than $4,000.
“I’m
beyond words,” said Hinton. I do my best to humble myself at times like this
because asking for help isn’t always my strong suit. I thank them from the
bottom of my heart. She thanks them from the bottom of her heart.”
Hinton
says even strangers have reached out to help.
No
arrests have been made in the case. Crime Stoppers is offering up to
$5,000 for information by calling them at
1-336–373–1000.