Mom of child killed in farm accident wants to prevent repeats to other families

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) — The mother of a 5-year-old girl fatally injured in a farming accident earlier this month is keeping the memory of her daughter alive as best she can: by raising awareness of other parents whose children also help on the farm.

Sara Ray said her daughter Charlotte as a lover of music, movies, dancing and big dresses, and never turned down a chance to sing her heart out.

“She was the happiest little girl you’d ever meet,” said Sara. “She never…she never wanted to stop moving. She’s always running, she’s always singing, she’s always dancing, acting out her movies.

“The house is so silent without her.”

Charlotte was riding on a combine with her father as he was harvesting beans on Oct. 10. At some point, she got out of the cab and was struck by part of the machine.

She was rushed to Pleasant Township’s Fire Station, but despite their lifesaving measures, she died from her injuries.

Charlotte was laid to rest earlier this week.

“She should’ve never been near that equipment,” said Sara.

Charlotte was autistic and her mother said that despite the culture around generational farming, she is seeking to raise awareness around keeping kids away from dangerous farm equipment until they are ready.

“Most farms are handed down generation to generation and they’re raised in this equipment, and they’re used to being around all this machinery,” said Sara. “That might be fine for a typical child but not for a child with special needs.”

Sara said she just wants to make sure that this never happens to anyone’s kid in the future.

“She was the brightest light this world has ever seen,” said Sara, “and she was taken away far too early because of a tragedy that she should have been prevented from the start.”

The Clark County Sheriff’s Office is spearheading an investigation into the incident, with specific details surrounding the accident still being determined. No charges have been announced as of Oct. 17.