National

Georgia girl, made honorary APD officer, dies after yearslong battle with cancer

Karma Lilly Little and Police Chief Erika Shields

DANVILLE, Ga. — A beloved Georgia girl, whose story was shared around the world, died Tuesday after a long battle with cancer.

Karma Lilly Little battled stage 4 high risk neuroblastoma nonstop from age 3. She was 7 when she died.

She made national headlines during her fight because of her strong connection with law enforcement officers across the country.

Over the past few years, Karma was made an honorary APD and NYPD officer and was deputized by a Georgia sheriff’s department.

The Atlanta Police Department posted about her death on their page.

Chief Erika Shields and the men and women of the Atlanta Police Department loss an Angel today. Officer Karma Lilly...

Posted by City of Atlanta Police Department on Thursday, September 21, 2017

In August, dozens of officers attended Karma’s "Alice in Wonderland"-themed birthday party in Warner Robins.

Karma’s family posted just two days ago on her Facebook page, Believe in Karmiracles, that the young girl had kicked off her bucket list on Monday.

She died on Tuesday in her father’s arms.

“Our souls were shattered Tuesday as Karma passed away in her daddy's arms. It was sudden but peaceful. She was surrounded by LOVE and for that I am blessed,” her mom and dad posted on Facebook.

Her family will return home Friday. A candlelight ceremony is being planned at the family's home in Danville at 7:30 p.m. The family has a YouCaring page to raise money for medical expenses.