Heroine Minnesota mom dies using her body to shield toddler daughter as fire rips through home

A heroic Minnesota mother who tragically died following a house fire on Saturday is being credited with saving her daughter’s life after she rushed back into the burning building for the toddler.

A GoFundMe set up in the mother’s honor said that 38-year-old Bonnie Pierce had initially made it out of the home safe, but made the decision to run back in when she realized one of her two daughters, Grace, was still inside.

“When firefighters entered the home, they found Bonnie shielding Grace with her own body. Bonnie was protecting her daughter until the very end, making the ultimate sacrifice in an effort to save her child,” the fundraiser said.

Pierce had been home with Grace and another one of her daughters, Aurora. The fundraiser said Aurora was able to escape the home by kicking out her air conditioner and climbing out a window. While Pierce had been outside with Aurora, she made the realization that Grace was still inside.

First responders found Pierce unresponsive in the home, and CPR was performed. She had been without oxygen for 15 minutes, and suffered burns to around half of her body. She ultimate succumbed to her injuries on August 24. Grace remains hospitalized while recovering from her injuries and is expected to make a full recovery.

Pierce is survived by Grace, Aurora, and her two other daughters, Alaynah and Jemma, as well as her grandson, Atlas. The fundraiser set up in support of the family in the wake of the loss and Grace’s recovery had received over $11,000 as of Thursday.