Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Wednesday, August 15, 2012
(TAMPA, FL.) - A Hamilton County woman is in a Tampa Hospital fighting for her life.
Doctors didn't think she would survive after her husband set her on fire, but as 24-hour news 8 reporter Daniel Miller learned from the woman's father, she's beating the odds.
Ted Lawhorn of Noblesville said on Friday night, August 3, his life changed forever.
"I woke up to about 15 text messages and 4 or 5 voicemails to call my mom," he said, "I figured I'd have that call one day, but I didn't think it'd be nothing like this.
"Lawhorn called his mother and got the grim news.
"She said Megan was in the hospital and that Josh had just lit her on fire," Lawhorn said.
26-year-old Megan Kimbrough, is Lawhorn's oldest daughter.
She's in critical condition at a Tampa, Florida, hospital with burns to over 80 percent of her body.
"The only thing that ain't burnt is like from the knees down and very top of her head, basically the hairline up," Lawhorn said.
Polk County, Florida investigators said Megan's husband, 32, year-old Joshua Kimbrough doused her with gasoline and then set her on fire.
He's facing charges of attempted first-degree murder, arson and false imprisonment.
Video from the crime scene showed the burned red chair Megan was sitting in.
Neighbors came to her aid and put out the flames.
Lawhorn said he can't even get up the urge to even be angry at his own son-in-law.
"Why waste that energy. I mean its a waste of energy.
I need to put my energy towards my daughter. Not towards Josh. He done sealed his fate," he said.
And that energy seems to be working.
Tuesday, doctors said Megan's condition is improving.
She's now nodding her head, taking commands and wiggling her feet.
"At first they thought the odds were against her," Lawhorn said.
Lawhorn wants this to be a lesson for others.
Look for the signs.
"Step in a little bit more, but in, poke your nose in a little bit harder," he said.
More than two-thousand people are following Megan's progress on a Facebook Page her family has set up.
If you would like to see that page you can go to PrayForMegan Kimbrough.
She has has two sons who are now staying with relatives while she is recovering.
As of 9 p.m. Tuesday the update on Megan on Facebook stated:
"Todays update on Megan as of 9 o'clock p.m. Blood pressure is 104 over 64. Heart rate is at 115-120. still running a fever of 101 to 102 thats common due to the burns and meds she is on. Her stomach sounds are good and her urine is good color. She hasn't had a bowl movement so they are still given her meds for that. Todays surgery went good they done her whole back, the back of her legs and arms.
When she came out she was alert and awake. Audrey set in her room with her and talked to her for awhile and explained to Megan who she was. She asked Megan questions and she would reply by shaken her head yes or no. She asked Megan if she wanted more pictures of the boys she replyed with shaken her head yes.
I'm gonna send Audrey some pictures so she can tape them to the ceiling for Megan to enjoy. They are talkin about doin another surgery on Thursday but not for sure yet. If they do they are gonna do the whole front side of her. I won't know for sure until the dr calls me tomorrow.
Thanks for all the prayers they are workin for sure. She still has a long road ahead of her and we are taken one day at a time. Thanks Ted, Robin and family."
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