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1-year-old girl shows small improvement after burned by gas can explosion

By Alexa Ashwell
By Alexa Ashwell

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A 1-year-old girl that was severely burned when a gas can exploded Tuesday is still in a medically induced coma, family members told Channel 9.

Emily Hinton's condition is critical, but stable and doctors at a burn center in Winston-Salem said they have been able to lower some of her medications.

Emily's grandmother, Belinda Carr, is at home recovering with family members.

Carr was burning trash outside her north Charlotte home Tuesday when the gas can exploded. Carr was injured in the accident too.

"She's the first granddaughter for them and everybody just goes wild over her," said cousin Debra Davidson. "It's really, really hard."

Family members said the girl and her family need help from the community.

"The gas can, she didn't even see where it was, and she doesn't know where it happened, but sparks flown up and landed on it and ignited it, and that's when it exploded,” said family friend Denise Mckellar.

The explosion burned Carr in the face and hands, but friends said little Emily was hurt the most.

"She is still in very critical condition. They have her on life support and a medically induced coma,” said Davidson.

Doctors said if she survives, she will need multiple surgeries throughout her life.

Family and friends are fighting to stay positive; They’re praying little Emily makes it through this.

"It was just a total accident, and even her mom, Amy, says she doesn't blame Belinda for it,” McKellar said. “It was just a total accident.”

"I can't allow myself to think any other way,” Davidson said.

They’re also praying for her grandmother, who is trying to recover while thinking about the little girl she loves.

"She’s just beside herself with guilt that it was her fault, and I just want her to not feel that way,” McKellar said.

  • Click the video below for raw Chopper 9 video from scene: 

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Emily's father, Andy Hinton, posted the following message on Facebook after the incident:

"We just talked to doctor and they said if she pulls through she will need multiple surgeries throughout her life... we are having a really rough time wrapping our minds around all this... be thankful for what you have every day because it can be taken away in a blink... my beautiful baby will never be the same.. but I will take her however I can get her and love her like she has never been loved.. please pray for our family... thanks to everyone for their support."

Huntersville church rallies around 1-year-old burned

A Huntersville church is rallying around one of its youngest members following a gas explosion in north Charlotte.

On Wednesday, the pastor of the Hinton family’s church, Independence Hill Baptist Church, delivered prayer shawls to Emily and her family at a hospital in Winston-Salem.

“You can see the little sign on there,” said Anne McGraw as she held a prayer shawl similar to the ones delivered to the Hinton family.

https://twitter.com/AlexaWSOC9/status/644277495080968193

Channel 9 talked with members about the prayer shawl just before services Wednesday. 
 
"I just felt so sorry for the both of them," said McGraw. "The grandmother and the baby."

McGraw said the shawls are handmade and serve as a symbol of God’s warmth and embrace.

Attached to each shawl is a card that reads, "This gift was created especially for you, with love and prayers woven throughout. We pray that it will provide warmth and comfort, and remind you of God's love and the caring concern of the Independence Hill Baptist Church family. May you be cradled in hope, kept in joy, graced with peace, and wrapped in love." 

Members of family’s church are doing their best to lift up the Hinton family in prayer as they wait for a more concrete prognosis.

There has been an outpouring of love and support posted to the family on Facebook.

“Only God can heal,” said Candy Hayes, who also attends the church. “That’s certainly what the church believes.”

“We have to put it in God’s hands,” said McGraw.

A GoFundMe page for Emily has been set up, which anyone can donate to here.

To find out other ways to help the family you can contact the church at 704-596- 2124.

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