Tragedy Strikes Steven Curtis Chapman Family
May 23, 2008 12:05 PM
By Suzanne Kayian
LiveDaily Contributor
Steven Curtis Chapman's 5-year-old daughter, Maria Sue, died May 21 after being struck by a car driven by her teenage brother in the driveway of the family's home near Franklin, TN, according to a statement on the Christian singer's website. The girl was air-lifted to Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville, where she died of her injuries.
A spokesperson for the Tennessee Highway Patrol said Maria was hit by a Toyota Land Cruiser driven by her brother, but police have not released the boy's name or exact age. Several children reportedly were playing in the area of the driveway. Police said the boy did not see Maria before the vehicle struck her. "It appears to be a terrible accident," said THP spokesperson Laura McPherson. No charges are expected to be brought.
The accident was witnessed by two other children; Chapman and his wife, Mary Beth, have six children. Maria Sue was the youngest.
A public memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. at Christ Presbyterian Church. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Shaohannah's Hope Ministry, which was founded by the Chapmans after bringing their first adopted daughter, Shaohannah, home from China. The ministry's goal is to help families reduce the financial barrier of adoption and has provided grants to more than 1,700 families wishing to adopt orphans from around the world. The China-born Maria was one of the Chapmans' three children who found their parents via international adoption.
Chapman has called off his planned Saturday (5/24) concert in Orlando, FL.
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Before the this tragedy struck, Steven Curtis Chapman's daughter, Maria, inspired him to write this song. The words seem somewhat ironic now.
Steven Curtis Chapman is very well known in the adoption world for his courageous efforts to raise awareness for international adoption. Our prayers are with the Chapman family as they cope with this tragic loss...and especially for Maria's brother who will always live with the guilt of that tragic day.
