The family of a 5-year-old Florida girl are mourning her loss after her mother reportedly kidnapped her and led police on a chase that resulted in the girl's death.
Pamela Cabrera, the 32-year-old mother of Vanity Cabrera, faces vehicular homicide charges after allegedly kidnapping her own daughter and engaging in a police chase, reaching speeds of 90 mph on I-95 in a 30-mile pursuit through northern Jacksonville.
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office received a call on March 29 about a kidnapping in progress. Officers were on the way to the scene of the kidnapping when they spotted the suspect's vehicle at a red light. They tried to pull Pamela over, but she reportedly sped off.
Officers continued to pursue Pamela's car. As she tried to get off an exit, the car reportedly drove off the ramp and into a pond. It's unclear if that was intentional or unintentional. Officers quickly dove into the pond and were able to pull Pamela out, but did not see Vanity.
A dive team came in and was able to recover the little girl's body from the bottom of the retention pond. She had been thrown from the vehicle. Her cause of death has not been confirmed at this time.
Pamela lost custody of Vanity in 2020 as the result of struggling with her mental health. She was diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Custody was given to Pamela's sister, though it is unclear if that was the house the girl was reportedly taken from.
Pamela is now facing charges of vehicular homicide, fleeing law enforcement at high speed, and two charges of battery. She was due in court on April 1 but did not appear due to "disruptive behavior." She will undergo a mental health evaluation at the Jacksonville Jail. Her arraignment has been moved to April 21.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help the family with expenses. On it, statements are made about both Vanity and Pamela.
"Vanity was the most loving child, she was bright and beautiful, she could lighten up a room with just a smile," the GoFundMe's organizer wrote. "Vanity loved dancing, going to the beach and just simply being around the people she loved."
"She had such an infectious laugh that you couldn't help but laugh with her. Oh what we wouldn't do to hear her laugh again, see her smile again, & just hold her in our arms one more time. In our hearts Vanity was our daughter."
The family shared a news story on how Vanity's tragic death came to be. They asked people not to judge Pamela for her worst moment.
"Please understand that this is not a reflection of the type of mother Pamela was, she absolutely loved Vanity. Pamela was/is ill, she needed help; in no way does this excuse the actions that occurred on that awful day," they wrote.
"Instead of judging her by this desperate attempt to be with Vanity, we should instead bring light to the seriousness of mental health and how not receiving the proper treatment can cause us to make decisions we otherwise wouldn't."
