A 35-year-old woman in Missouri who went missing last week while heading to pick up her children has been found dead following a traffic crash. In Fresno, Calif., a 9-year-old is showing how much impact one small idea can have.
Adriana “Adri” Marvella Arias set up a stand outside her home to sell hot chocolate and champurrado — not for pocket money, but to help raise funds for a wheelchair-accessible van. Born with spina bifida, Adri relies on a wheelchair for daily mobility, and her family hopes a van with a ramp will give her more independence.
Her mom, Araceli De La Garza, is Adri’s main caregiver, often lifting her in and out of the family SUV to get her to school and appointments. But as Adri has gotten older, transportation has become more difficult, De La Garza explained in the family’s GoFundMe.
“I really want her to be independent,” De La Garza told CBS47+. “I don’t want spina bifida to hold her back or for her to think she can’t do something.”
Seeing an opportunity to rally support, De La Garza turned the fundraiser into a TikTok campaign, inviting neighbors to stop by for a warm drink and contribute to the cause.
The video quickly went viral, drawing thousands of views, likes, comments and shares — and turning Adri’s small stand into a community-wide effort.
“My daughter was born with spina bífida as well also from Fresno ca, we will definitely stop by to support her,” one mom commented on the post.
“Got mine!! The champurrado is amazing!” another replied.
Someone else added, “Let’s help this momma get the car she needs to get this girly to wherever she wants to go.”
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“I was surprised,” Adri told the outlet. “My mom was trying to save money to buy a car with the ramp, so I wanted to help.”
“With the actual vehicle having that help, she can just push herself in and be more independent,” her father, Juan Arias, added.
De La Garza said the response has been overwhelming.
“It is amazing seeing how Adrianna’s story is getting so much support and love,” the mom shared. “Our little girl has the power to shake the community of Fresno and surrounding areas.”
“We hope that people realize that no idea or dream is too small and it is okay to ask for help,” she added. “And I want to add that this viral video wouldn’t have blown up if it weren’t for everyone coming together and sharing it all over social media.”
The Miller County, Missouri Coroner’s Office announced in a news release that authorities responded in the early morning hours of Monday, Feb. 2, to a motor vehicle collision on U.S. 54 near Howser Road where the body of Amanda Rodgers was located.
“Ms. Rodgers’ vehicle was located off the roadway and concealed by a fallen tree, making it difficult to observe from the roadway,” the coroner’s office said. “The vehicle was discovered by a Miller County Sheriff’s Office deputy who was actively searching the area.”
The coroner’s office added that foul play or suspicious circumstances are not suspected, and that the incident appears to have been an accidental motor vehicle crash.
According to a Saturday, Jan. 31, alert from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Camden County Sheriff’s Office issued an endangered person advisory for Rodgers, who went missing on Jan. 26.
Authorities said Rodgers left the Eldon area to pick up her children in the Camdenton area but never arrived.
At the time, Rodgers drove a 2003 tan Chevrolet Malibu, the Camden County Sheriff’s Office said in its advisory.
The coroner’s office said it is investigating the death along with the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
“Out of respect for the family, no further details will be released at this time,” the coroner’s statement read.
“The Miller County Coroner’s Office extends its deepest condolences to Ms. Rodgers’ family and loved ones during this difficult time,” the statement concluded.
