6-month-old orphaned when mom dies in crash months after dad died of COVID in Ohio
A 6-month-old baby who lost her dad to COVID-19 earlier this year is now orphaned after her mom died on her way to work.
The infant’s mother, Kera Leskovec, was a teacher with Salem City Schools Junior and Senior High Schools in Ohio, the district shared in a Nov. 2 statement.
“It is with a heavy heart and great sadness that I must inform you of the passing of Mrs. Kera Leskovec, who was tragically killed in an automobile accident on her way to work this morning,” Superintendent Sean Kirkland wrote. “Kera was an extremely valued Jr/Sr High teacher and individual that will be greatly missed by her colleagues and students alike.”
Leskovec had just dropped her daughter off at her own mother’s house before the fatal crash, according to the Canton Repository.
The crash was reported at about 6:40 a.m. after two vehicles collided head on with each other near a Lexington Township intersection, WKBN reported. Ohio State Highway Patrol says the other driver, 28-year-old Jonathan Walter, was also killed when his vehicle moved left and collided with Leskovec’s vehicle.
Leskovec’s husband, Kevin, died on Aug. 20 at 31 years old, according to his obituary. Their daughter, Avalee, was born about four months prior to his death.
“I have truly been blessed to call Kevin a friend for 13 years and a husband for 6 years,” Leskovec shared in a public Facebook post three days after he died. “Words can’t express how much I will miss him. He left me with the greatest gift of all, sweet baby Avalee. She will grow up hearing amazing stories of her Dad, and I have no doubt she will know how much he loved her.”
Now, Avalee is an orphan.
“As sad as we are for her (mom’s) loss of life, we are saddened that their daughter Avalee will have to navigate life without her loving parents,” a GoFundMe for the family says.
Salem City Schools asks that people keep the family in their thoughts and spread kindness and love in memory of Leskovec.
“I find it hard to even fathom the grief and despair that her family is confronted with,” Kirkland said.
The district will share funeral details as they become available, and school counselors are available for students who need support.
This story was originally published November 3, 2021 at 11:27 AM with the headline "6-month-old orphaned when mom dies in crash months after dad died of COVID in Ohio."