Only 13 months ago, parents Jafria and Michael Thoeming were announcing the birth of Cyra Rose Thoeming. Less than two months after celebrating the toddler’s first birthday, the couple are now dealing with the anguish of having to bury their beloved baby, whom they called their “light.”
On July 6, Cyra was belted into her car seat and placed on the ground, where she was accidentally struck by her mom’s vehicle, later dying in hospital.
Recently celebrating Cyra’s first birthday, Arizona’s Thoeming family is now making funeral arrangements to bury the toddler, who died outside their home in Cottonwood, about 100 miles north of Phoenix.
Police report that the mom, Jafria Thoeming, placed little Cyra–still strapped in her car seat–“in a gravel area next to the residence,” while she tried to navigate her vehicle out of a tight space. This is when the unfortunate accident happened.
“The vehicle was parked in a gravel area next to the residence. While maneuvering the vehicle out of a tight space, the mother had positioned the child, within the car seat, in an area she felt was safe,” Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) continued in the release, “While repositioning the vehicle, the front tire caught the canopy of the car seat, causing it to fall backward which led to the infant suffering critical injuries.”
Life-saving efforts failed and Cyra was pronounced dead at the Verde Valley Medical Center.
Jafria describes her little one as a happy girl, who loved to smile. She said the name “Cyra” means light in several languages.
“Cyra Rose was the absolute light of my life…She is so loved and was wanted and needed in my life for sooooo many years. I finally felt complete having her,” Jafria writes on the GoFundMe that was created to help cover funeral expenses.
The GoFundMe raised more than $18,000 and having received more than its goal, it has been disabled by the organizer.
On May 25, 2022, Jafria shared a post on Facebook, introducing little Cyra to family and friends. The photo shows the tiny baby sleeping on her back with a framed image holding a pregnancy test and the words, “Cyra Rose Thoeming. Earthside May 16. 22.”
In response to the warm wishes, Jafria writes, “thank you! I am so in love!”
According to Jafria’s Facebook, she’s a former realtor whose most recent job is listed as a bank teller, and Cyra’s father, Michael, is a server at a local restaurant, according to information available online about him.
On July 8, Michael wrote on his Facebook, “I will always be your Father which is the greatest title I have ever held in this life…My every waking moment is dedicated to being the man that you made me. I love you Cyra Rose”
Family and friends were generous with their heartfelt thoughts and financial support for the pair.
“There are no words… sending you all the love in the world during this tremendously difficult time,” writes one friend on Michael’s Facebook, while Cyra’s aunt shares, “My niece! You and Jafria didn’t deserve this! I’m so sorry I love you so much please God be with my brother and his wife please God take Cyra into your arms as we cannot.”
Describing her daughter’s colorful character, Jafria writes that Cyra was a social little girl who was already walking, talking, singing and dancing. “She waved at everyone and made sure they saw her smile and she brought light to their day. She was beautiful and funny and smart, soooo smart! She absolutely blew my mind every day with how smart she was.” Jafria continues, “She had sooo many friends and was so kind. She had the biggest, sweetest heart. It was amazing seeing her with her father everyday and I was so happy that I got to look into her big blue eyes everyday for the rest of my life. I was so ready to show her the world. We gave her such a big life in the little time she had and for that I am grateful. A piece of me is gone forever and nothing will ever be the same…We never expected to have to deal with anything like this in our lives.”
At the moment, police said there have been no charges but the YCSO Criminal Investigations Bureau continues to investigate the events leading to the toddler’s death.
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What a heartbreaking story. We send our love and thoughts to Cyra’s family and wish them the best in their time of healing.
