CHARLOTTE, N.C.,None — Eyewitness News caught up with Cherica Adams' mother, who is taking care of the child her daughter was pregnant with when she died.
Adams' boyfriend, former Carolina Panther Rae Carruth, is in prison for her murder.
Saundra and Chancellor Adams now share a life neither of them could have imagined. He is an 11-year-old who crime and tragedy tried to orphan, while she is a grandmother turned mother by the same violent night 11 years ago.
RAW: Saundra Adams Talks About What Chancellor Knows About His Mother
"I just stepped into what my destiny was already planned to be," Saundra Adams said.
In 1999, gunshots were fired into the car Cherica Adams was driving along Rea Road. She was pregnant with Chancellor at the time.
Carruth, the boy's biological father, was convicted of masterminding the murder.
One of Carruth's accomplices, Michael Kennedy, will be released from prison in a few weeks.
"That's brought a lot of things back up," Saundra Adams said.
But Adams said she's no longer angry at Kennedy.
"I feel like he's paid his debt," she said. "Him getting out is not going to bring my daughter back. Him staying in wouldn't bring my daughter back."
RAW: Saundra Adams Talks About Challenges Chancellor Faces
As for Carruth, he has spent the last 11 years aging in prison and still denying the crime, while Chancellor has spent a decade growing.
He's now 5 feet tall and 100 pounds. Cerebral palsy makes fine motor skills a challenge, but Saundra Adams said he loves horseback riding and swimming.
"(He) placed second and third place in the Special Olympics in some of the activities he participates in," Saundra Adams said.
Speech remains difficult for Chancellor, who likes his middle name, Lee, better. But smiles come easily.
RAW: Saundra Adams Talks About Appearance On Oprah Show
Saundra Adams stays focused on the future and on possibilities for Chancellor.
"I can do this," Chancellor said.
"That's right," Saundra Adams said. "I can do this."
Previous Stories: February 16, 2011: Appeals Court Rejects New Trial For Former Panthers Player Carruth October 6, 2010: Former Panthers Player Carruth Appeals Conviction March 21, 2005: Ex-Panther Loses Bid To Get New Trial March 10, 2005: Rae Carruth And Mother Visit In Jail March 10, 2005: Former Carolina Panther Wants New Trial March 10, 2005: Rae Carruth Returns To Mecklenburg County Court This Morning May 11, 2004: Theodry Carruth Denied Visitation Rights For Grandson