Artist transforms helmet into tiara for 5-year-old who was shot in the head

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WTVR) -- Kemiyah Edwards is well on the way to recovery after being shot in the head in Henrico County two months ago.

Loved ones say the 5-year-old's new normal is filled with doctor appointments, re-learning certain activities and information, and wearing a protective helmet nearly every hour of the day.

After hearing about Kemiyah's story and her remarkable recovery, a local artist wanted to use her passion to spread love to Kemiyah and her family.

“When I heard, oh my God. It just broke my heart,” said Tami Topalu.

The local artist was touched so deeply, she wanted to do something to make Kemiyah feel special.

She first told Kemiyah's grandmother about the idea.

“I said, you know she has to wear this helmet, can I decorate it? Paulette said that's a great idea. But the problem is she can never take it off, only when she sleeps,” Topalu recalled.

As it turns out, that was not a problem at all for Tami Topalu.

In the wee hours of the morning, Topalu transformed Kemiyah's helmet into a treasured tiara, complete with her favorite colors, pink and purple, and all the bling a little girl could ever want.