‘A walking talking miracle’

By Stephen Milligan – the Walton Tribune

Local girl shot by mother survives, thrives with community help

The Monroe Police Department’s Brandon Temples and Chief RV Watts hold Zaylee Brown, 4, after the little girl made a miraculous recovery after being shot multiple times in July. Photo credit: Stephen Milligan

It wasn’t expected to end this way.

When officers responded to a Monroe shooting and found 4-year-old Zaylee Brown suffering from multiple gunshot wounds — inflicted by her own mother — the tragic finale of the story was almost assured.

But the Monroe Police Department, with help from county emergency workers, Piedmont Walton doctors and, they all admitted, a big helping hand from the Good Lord above, didn’t let that happen.

Zaylee survived. And she’s thriving.

On Friday, little Zaylee dropped by the MPD to say hello to the team of heroes who saved her life, and she was all smiles, hugging a stuffed unicorn to her chest as she took photos, proudly bore a MPD badge sticker and was hugged more times than any child can expect in one visit.

Not that it mattered. The little girl was irrepressible, chattering away with anyone who would listen, happily jumping up to say hi to anyone who came within her orbit and lighting up the police department with her huge personality that one could hardly believe could fit into a little girl that small.

“She’s a walking, talking miracle,” MPD Chief RV Watts said. “To God be the glory on this. It’s astonishing to see her overcome such a traumatic event.”

It was hardly expected back in July, when Sgt. Brandon Scurggs, Corporal Brandon Priest and Det. Christian Ashmore responded to the scene to find the little girl in serious condition.

They immediately called for medical attention, and the Walton County EMTs rushed Zaylee to Piedmont Walton, where she was whisked into surgery under a team of doctors led by Dr. Mark Benak.

Benak said he was only doing his job and Zaylee’s recovery was a testimony to the system working.

“This is how the trauma system is designed to work,” Benak said. “Everyone came together to do their part to save this little girl.”

Benak said he was thrilled to see Zaylee thriving again, happily engaging with the world like any other 4-year-old girl.

“It’s always great to have a win,” Benak said.

Zaylee’s father, Chris Brown, beamed to see his daughter happily chattering away with police officers, EMTs, doctors and everyone else who came to say hi to her Friday afternoon.

“It’s been an experience,” Brown admitted of the near tragedy his family experienced and has slowly worked to overcome.

“I just want to say thank you to everyone who was involved with making this possible.”

Zaylee Brown, 4, and family with only some of the many heroes who helped save her life. Photo credit: Stephen Milligan