Four years ago, Sophia Isabella Bonilla was stillborn in Apple Valley’s St. Mary Medical Center. Now her parents, Jordy and Vanessa Bonilla, who help run Phelan’s BG Pawn Shop, are raising money to help future grieving parents cope with infant loss. They plan to donate a chilled Caring Cradle to St. Mary’s to allow families to spend more time with deceased infants.
“We were told by the hospital we could have as much time as we want with the baby, but, um, realistically that wasn’t really a choice for us,” Vanessa Bonilla said. “We were only able to have her for a couple of hours because of the starting-to-decompose process.”
The presence of a Caring Cradle would slow the biological processes that occur after death. Any mother admitted to St. Mary’s who experiences the loss of an infant child, either in the womb or post-birth, would have access to the technology.
The Bonillas are working towards the goal of raising $5,000 to cover the cost of a Caring Cradle. Donations may be made to the hospital “in loving memory of Sophia Isabella.” An in-person fundraising event will take place at Town’s End Bar and Grill at 22020 Hwy 18 in Apple Valley on Tuesday, June 30 from 4–8 p.m.
