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Police: Newborn Baby Of Mother Shot In Miami Gardens Dies

MIAMI GARDENS (CBSMiami) -- A newborn baby who was delivered after his mother was shot in Miami Gardens has died.

Detectives said Qualecia James was the victim of a drive-by shooting on March 30th near NW 32nd Avenue and NW 181st Street. James was a passenger in a car when the shooting happened.

James, who was seven months pregnant, had a 4-year old daughter and was looking forward to the birth of her second baby. The baby boy was delivered Sunday afternoon just before his mother died. Friday, family members said the child, nicknamed KJ, died.

"It gives me some comfort to know he is with his mom and more comfort to know we were able to christen him before he left here," said Mary Pierce, who is James' cousin, but considers herself an aunt.

She said the family knew all along there was little hope for the baby, but couldn't let go.

"You see him and how gorgeous he was, you just refuse to let go. They already told us he had no brain activity but just to look at him and know we do have a God that can heal we decided to wait and see what God would say. He did what was best. We trust he did what was best," said Pierce.

Still, the pain of losing little KJ is devastating to a family still reeling from the loss of his mother.

"She's so missed. She was a sweet young girl. She was respectful; she was helpful," said Pierce.

James' grandmother, Bernadette Pierce added, "It's hurting to know that I lost my granddaughter and I lost her son too. It's just hard."

The family is begging for an end to senseless violence and asking James' killer to come forward.

"Have a mind and a conscience, heart you know turn yourself in. You got to work it out and ask God for forgiveness," said Bernadette Pierce.

Mary Pierce continued, "I'm just asking God to bring a peaceful resolution that if there's somebody out there who know who did this to my cousin please please turn yourself in, please please turn yourself in."

Anyone with information can contact Miami-Dade County Crime Stoppers anonymously at (305) 471-TIPS (8477).

The tipster could be eligible for a reward of up to $3,000.

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