Erica Garner, the daughter of Eric Garner — whose death at the hands of an NYPD officer arresting him over untaxed cigarettes sparked national outrage — is in a coma after suffering a heart attack.
In the wake of her father’s death, Erica has become an advocate against police brutality.
She’s currently on life support in ICU at a Brooklyn hospital.
via NYDN:
The 27-year-old mother of two is unable to breathe on her own, family said.
Esaw Snipes-Garner, Erica’s mother, told The News her daughter’s condition was grave but the family hadn’t given up hope.
“(She) is still with us. She’s fighting,” the mom said.
Snipes-Garner said her daughter’s cardiac arrest was brought on by an asthma attack Saturday night.
Erica, already the mom of an 8-year-old daughter, gave birth to a boy in August, Snipes-Garner said.
She named him Eric, after her dad, family said.
After that pregnancy, Erica suffered a first cardiac arrest a few months ago, her mother said.
The pregnancy had put a strain on her heart, which doctors discovered was enlarged — a condition Erica had not been aware of, her mother said.
As for the current crisis, Snipes-Garner said it’s a waiting game for the mother of two, filled with family prayers and loving support.
“She’s not doing well and we’re praying,” Snipes-Garner told The News.
Erica’s foster mother, Tanya Goode, left the Brooklyn hospital in tears late on Christmas Eve, flanked by two of Erica’s brothers and a sister-in-law.
“I was here last night and I’ve been here all day today,” Goode told The News.
“Erica is on life support. She can’t breathe on her own. So, she’s not doing well,” a distraught Goode said.
Erica’s sister, Emerald Snipes, shared her fears on Facebook Sunday.
“My sister had another heart attack last night and she’s in critical condition,” Snipes wrote.
“I just left the hospital and it’s not looking good. … I pray she makes it; she has two little ones to live for,” the sister said.
She also noted that the family was having a hard time handling the holiday in light of what was going on.
“Don’t even feel like Christmas but I gotta fake smile for my baby,” Snipes posted later on Facebook.
“Erica better get better soon. She get on my last nerve but I’d rather fight with my sister then to lose her,” she wrote.
Late on Christmas Eve, someone who said they worked for Erica Garner tweeted from her account.
“She is in a coma … I’ll tweet updates as I have them. Please pray for Erica right now,” the person wrote.
Send up a few prayers for the Garner family. They’re truly in need of a Christmas miracle.
