TARRANT COUNTY, Texas — The family of Atatiana Jefferson spent Tuesday in a hospital room with a late Christmas celebration.
Jefferson's sister, Amber Carr, was hospitalized during Aaron Dean’s murder trial.
Two weeks have passed since Dean was sentenced to 11 years, 10 months and 12 days in prison for the shooting death of Jefferson.
On Tuesday, Jefferson’s family attorney, Lee Merritt, told WFAA that Amber is now fighting for her life in the hospital.
Carr is the mother of Zion Carr, Atatiana’s 11-year-old nephew who was inside the home when Dean shot and killed his aunt.
“They are experiencing this in real time,” Merritt said. “Families spend so much time fighting for justice, they don’t have the time to grieve and to heal.”
According to Merritt, Amber Carr has been diagnosed with congestive heart failure and given a terminal prognosis. Doctors told her she’s ineligible for a heart transplant, Merritt said.
“A doctor has told her that she will not live through the weekend,” Merritt said.
Carr, who spent three years seeking justice for her sister, began suffering health complications after Jefferson's death, Merritt said.
“The hardest part about all of this, for me and for the family is dealing with the children who are growing up experience trauma after trauma,” Merritt said. “Zion was 8 years old when he watched his auntie shot to death. He’s now playing with his mother in her hospital bedroom.”
Moments after the trial came to an end, Jefferson's other sister, Ashley Carr, said the sentencing brought a sense of relief for the family.
Now, their healing journey faces yet another fight.