7 y/o shot six times continues miraculous recovery

DETROIT (WXYZ) - It’s a bond between mother and daughter most people could never understand. When Alexis Goggins was just seven years-old she took six bullets as she tried to protect her mom, Selietha Parker.

"She was hit in the eye and now she is blind in the right eye. She was hit in the face and in her arms," Parker told Action News.

That was three years ago. Seven surgeries later, including an operation to put in an artificial eye, and Alexis is making a miraculous recovery.

"Everybody says wow - this kid walked away from something like that. It's a blessing," Parker said.

It was back in December 2007, Alexis and her mother were going to stay with a friend because their heat wasn’t working. When that friend came to pick them up Selietha’s ex-boyfriend, Calvin Tilly, ambushed them, forcing mother and daughter into a car and told them to drive. Somehow Selietha’s friend, who was also Tillie's hostage, convinced him to pull over at a gas station on 7 Mile.

Once inside the station Seletha’s friend was able to call police. But outside Tillie grew frantic and started shooting at Selietha. That's when Alexis hurled herself on top of her mother and took six rounds.

"She does remember it. But she doesn't like to talk about it a lot," Parker said.

Selietha was able to knock the gun out of Tillie's hand and during a struggle police arrived on scene and arrested Tillie. He's now serving out a 60 year prison sentence.

As for Alexis, she's in 5th grade and is doing well. She still has a lot of doctor's appointments, but for the most part she's a normal kid.

"It's such a blessing and an inspiration. Sometimes I can't believe we're both still here," Parker said.