BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

On Friday afternoon, Ms. Lashaun Kinlock began preparing dinner for her four children. She left her apartment at 1502 W. Union Street, to get her children and returned to find her home ablaze.

Ms. Kinlock, 30, the mother of two sons and two daughters, said she had gone to get her children when the fire started. “We lost everything. The entire kitchen burned and everything in the living room melted. The other things have smoke and water damage.”

This is the third tragedy to strike Ms. Kinlock and her family. On September 30, he 3-year-old daughter, Latavia, was shot in the leg and the bullet struck her in the knee. She was outside playing when a gunman drove up and began shooting at another man.

Further complicating matters, Ms. Kinlock said her 10-month-old son was diagnosed with having seizures after spending a week in the hospital. “I tried to save everything I could, but my baby is going to have to have everything because he can’t inhale that smoke.”

Ms. Kinlock said she is thankful for any help she can receive from the community. The Tampa Housing Authority will provide her another apartment, but she must start all over again with furniture and clothing.

Ms. Kinlock said she wears a size 16-18; her 8-year-old daughter wears a size 7-8, and Latavia wears a size 3T-5T. Her 10-year-old son wears a size 16 husky and her youngest son wears size 1T and 2T.

Anyone wishing to contact Ms. Kinlock can reach her at (813) 528-7454.