Father finds life in daughter's murder

By Melissa Eichamn, Reporter  | BayNews9

Derrick McMillin made a choice no parent wants to be faced with, whether to donate his daughter's organs.

Last week, 10-year-old Kassidie McMillin was shot in the head and killed at the hands of her own mother, Tina Foster.

Foster then turned the gun on herself. While Foster's suicide note said she had no choice but to take her daughter with her, McMillin said he's making a choice that will mean Kassidie lives on.

"After the doctor told me that basically she was already gone, I had to make that decision about organ donation and I didn't even hesitate," said McMillin.

While the loss is tragic, LifeLink said the donation means other children will have a chance at life.

"What we know right now about Kassidie's organ donation is that three lives were able to be saved through the gifts of both her kidneys and also her liver. In addition, she was also able to donate her heart valves which will go to benefit another patient as well," said Betsy Edwards with LifeLink.

While his daughter's life was short, McMillin hopes by donating her organs, her tragic death will be turned into something else.

"Not only was I able to save other children's lives because they couldn't save my child, but at least I know she lives on," he said.

A memorial service is being held Friday at 11 a.m. at A Life Tribute in Largo.