A terminally ill mother’s wish to see her daughter’s fairy tale 15th birthday celebration came true Saturday when Los Angeles police officers hosted a quinceañera for the teen.
Gang enforcement officers from the LAPD’s Central Division had met the family at a community movie night and learned that the parents didn’t have the money to throw the coming-of-age party for 14-year-old Jazmine Delgado. The mother has brain cancer.
With the help of local businesses, officers coordinated the bash that was held in East LA. A uniformed LAPD officer backed by mariachis serenaded guests and Jazmine took to the dancefloor with her mother for a special dance.
"I never expected this to happen," Jazmine said. "I’m happy to be here having my party and I invited a lot of friends."
Earlier, police shared photos on Twitter of Jazmine in a pink gown and a tiara posing with her family and officers before the big night. Another photo showed a line of lowrider cars outside the family’s home in the William Mead housing project just north of downtown LA.
"Watching Jazmine and how happy she is and how energetic and just ecstatic she is about today, that's the reward for all of us," LAPD Sgt. Janet Kim said.
