‘Life has stopped’: Mother loses 4 children, grandmother to suspected carbon monoxide poisoning

TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG/Gray News) - An Ohio mother is mourning the loss of her four young children and their grandmother, who have died following suspected carbon monoxide poisoning.

Adriana Coleman says her children, Liberty, Storm, Legacy and Stone, and their grandmother, 36-year-old Candace McAllister, were killed earlier this week.

Investigators said carbon monoxide filled a vehicle where the family was sitting while they were waiting for help with a flat tire.

“They all had so much personality in life and were so full of love. They were far beyond their years,” Coleman said. “Everything I did was for my kids. It seems so surreal now because life has stopped for me. I’m here, but I have no idea what’s going to happen. I just want my babies.”

Toledo’s fire chief said the children’s father called 911 after arriving to help with the flat tire and finding the family unresponsive inside the vehicle.

According to Coleman, investigators told her the carbon monoxide level inside the car was extreme.

“The detective said when they put their meter in the car to test the carbon monoxide levels, the level was five times the lethal limit,” she said.

Coleman said she made the tough decision Friday to take Legacy, also known as Ace, off life support.

She described each of her children in her own words.

“Liberty — I’ll miss her telling me what to do. She thought she was everybody’s mom. Storm — she wanted to be just like Liberty, but she had her own personality. Ace — he was my wild child. It was his way or no way. And Stone — that was my baby. That was my last baby," Coleman said.

The mother added that McAllister was also the life of the party.

The family had no life insurance.

An account has been set up to help cover funeral expenses. Donations are being accepted to the Coleman-McAllister Fund at any Fifth Third Bank location.