Family mourning 3-year-old who died in Dearborn Heights receives unexpected gift

(WJBK) - The family of a little girl speaks out after the 3-year-old Lilliana Kerr tragically lost her life during an accident last week at her Head Start program in Dearborn Heights.

It's a pain another local family knows all too well. They lost their 4-year-old girl last month - and now the family is stepping up to help the Kerr family, which they've never even met.

FOX 2 introduced you to Steve and Moriah Durant just after Christmas. They are recovering from a devastating car accident that claimed the life of their 4-year-old daughter Rosaria.

"I saw my little girl's eyes fixed and her head down," remembers Steven. And, as you could imagine, news of Lilliana's death hit close to home.

"It was during recess, she has a twin sister," said attorney Greg Rohl. "They were playing and unfortunately something happened on the premises, there was a collapse and the table came down on her."

The Durants, knowing full well what Lilliana's mom is enduring, donated a casket for the little girl's burial.

"We'd also like to thank the Durant family who lost their own child, and they donated a casket and that was very touching and moving," Rohl said.

It was a moving gesture to try to help mend broken hearts.

The Durants hoped to keep the donation private; they just wanted to help a family cope with the loss of a child.

If you'd like to help the Kerr family, too, you can attend a fundraiser at Walker's Speak Easy in Dearborn Heights. The fundraiser is an all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner to raise money for the family. It's Friday, January 27 from 11 a.m. to closing. The dinner will include a raffle, live music, and DJs.

Walker's is located at 8701 N. Beech Daly Road. You can also donate online HERE.

Funeral arrangements have been set at the Howe Peterson Funeral Home at 9800 S. Telegraph, Taylor. Visitation is Wednesday 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. The service is Thursday at 12 p.m.