An Alabama woman is now caring for 12 children after her sister Chantale McCall, a mother of five, dies from complications from COVID-19.
Francesca McCall, who is already raising seven children, said she was admitted to Zariah 17, De Alvion, 15, Angel [13], Trinity [6] and Serenity [5] after her younger sister, a 34-year-old domestic servant , died at UAB Hospital in Birmingham on September 16.
"She was the glue that held everyone together," McCall, 40, told Good Morning America about her sister. "She was strong at raising her kids. I loved that about her. We always talked about how we want all the kids to stay together if something happened to her. Since I'm the older sister … I wanted to make sure that they are not separated. "
McCall's own children include La-Keria [15], Ashanti [14], Saaphyri [13], Aniyah [11], Trenton [7], Heavenly [4], Chayha [1] and two other adult sons who are not currently live with her.
McCall said her sister was hospitalized on September 1 after testing positive for the coronavirus. She also had bronchitis and asthma as underlying diseases.
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Chantale McCall's husband died on October 25 of the virus that, according to Francesca Chantale, would have been 35th birthday.
"To be able to call her on the phone and talk to her about anything – I'll miss that, and we'll be with the kids," said McCall.
She continued, "It's been ups and downs and chaos and loud. I don't mind. It's just a change for her to be together all the time."
Chantale McCall's job in the insurance industry allows her to work from home so that she can balance her career and personal life.
Sandra McCall, Chantale's mom, also reportedly helped raise the children, while Carla McDonald, McCall's friend, offered to sponsor them for Christmas. Since then, a GoFundMe campaign has been launched to raise funds for the care of the children. Over $ 314,000 has been raised since it launched five days ago.
"There is love in this house," McDonald told GMA. "Francesca never complained. She didn't ask for anything. You have to ask her: 'What can I do?'"
