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July 24th, 2012
10:18 PM ET

Babysitter tried to save youngest victim in Aurora shooting

A teen who survived the Colorado theater shooting without physical wounds is learning to deal with her emotional scars. Kaylan, 13, watched as three people with her at the batman screening were shot, including 6-year-old Veronica Moser-Sullivan.

“I put my hand on Veronica’s ribcage to see if she was breathing,” Kaylan tells CNN’s Poppy Harlow, “but she wasn’t breathing so I started freaking out.”

Kaylan, who regularly babysat Veronica, showed tremendous courage in theater 9. “I felt like it was partly my job to protect her,” she says. “She was just a child.”

Veronica was the youngest victim to die. Her mother was shot in the neck and abdomen, but lived.

“I thought I was going to die,” Kaylan says. “It’s the scariest feeling to think that you’re going to die.”

Her pastor Michael Walker calls her a girl with a servant’s heart. “She’s the type of kid that would come in a room and say what can I do to help,” Walker says.

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Filed under: Colorado Shooting
soundoff (8 Responses)
  1. Julie S.

    Dear Kaylan – She knows you tried to save her – you are her angel. Please, please don't let this become survivor's guilt, along with could'ves, would'ves, should'ves.

    You have a wonderful heart, and may God lighten your burden, and allow you to see you haven't finished your journey yet. Be brave, be strong – and cry when you need to. Give your burdens to Him.

    Live your live the way it's meant to be, with LOVE & HOPE in your heart.

    July 28, 2012 at 6:49 pm |
  2. Ashley

    Bless you child. Know that none of this was your fault and that Veronica knows you and her mommy were there for her in her last moments, she looks down on you now to watch over you both. Words can never heal the pain you are feeling but know that there are millions of people praying and sending best wishes to you and that in the wake of this awful nightmare you are not alone in your grieving. You are an amazing person with love and bravery far beyond your years. Both you and Veronica will always hold a small part of my heart.

    July 26, 2012 at 3:26 am |
  3. Sharon Forbes

    This 13 year old precious young child has had to grow up to fast in this ungly suitation. She will always remember this! Tryin to put this completely from one's mind will take a lot of counsilng and love. Thank God she know God and has her Church..God Bless her..and be patient with yorself. You are a very special young lady. Sharon

    July 26, 2012 at 12:58 am |
  4. Paul Willson

    you have to hope she will recover ./ But she will always remember Veronica, God bless both of them

    July 25, 2012 at 5:47 pm |
  5. Linda Schaffer

    The only thing anyone can do about this mess is to pray for the families of the victims and the people that were killed and hope this never happens again.

    July 25, 2012 at 4:38 pm |
  6. Valerie Yantha

    It's not your fault sweetie. Don't blame yourself.
    Blame the man who did this teeible thing.
    I am confident that justice will be served. either in this life or the next.

    July 25, 2012 at 4:14 pm |
  7. randy malm

    let,s all love one each other like god want,s us to ,we would not want to hurt the one,s we love

    July 25, 2012 at 4:03 pm |
  8. Mary O'Connor

    I would like to see pictures of the poor people who died,or were injured in the theater shooting.
    I would like to remember who they were or who they are.
    Don't want to see this murderers picture any more. Please remember the ones lost to America.

    July 25, 2012 at 11:36 am |