Chesapeake, VA Estranged Mother Survives From Overdose, and the Child Who Knows Her as Mom Finally Gets a Chance to Play Softball!

December 31, 2026

This article was last updated by Alisha Shrestha on December 26, 2026

Alexa Bartholomew took to her Facebook to open up about how her estranged mother’s overdose led to saving a little girl who now calls her mom and finally gets to play softball.

She explained how she had kept her distance from her mom for around 8 years or so, ever since her parents separated and her mom started making some rough choices that went from prescription pills to harder street drugs.

Alexa chose to step back to keep her own children safe and to avoid the constant pain that comes with loving someone caught in addiction.

It wasn’t until last week that everything changed in a hurry when the hospital called her.

Then last week, everything changed in a hurry when the hospital called her. They told Alexa that her mother had overdosed badly with a really dangerous mix of fentanyl, cocaine, barbiturates, and amphetamines.

They had her intubated and on a Narcan drip to try to bring her back.

She revealed that a police officer who talked with her sounded shocked that her mom was even still breathing, given how much she had been using every single day.

Because of the situation, Alexa and her sister ended up becoming the legal medical decision-makers for their mom, even though they had barely seen or spoken to her in years.

Over the next few days, things took an unexpected turn for the better. Alexa’s sister stepped up and took their mom into her home, helping her get through the awful withdrawal symptoms that come with quitting like that.

In fact, not long after, they even got her into a rehab program where everyone is hoping she can start healing both her body and her mind.

But while all this was going on with their mom, there was another person who needed looking after.

Alexa and her sister’s mother had been living with a man she used to date, helping take care of his elderly parents, and especially his little girl from another relationship.

That man had full legal custody of the child, but in real life, it was Alexa’s mom who did most of the day-to-day raising.

The girl has known her basically since she was born and calls her Mom without question give the fact she’s the one who has been there for the everyday stuff.

Alexa admitted she had never really had any relationship with this little girl before all this happened.

But now the child has been staying with Alexa and her family a lot because she loves being around Alexa’s daughter Ophelia, and for the first time, she feels truly safe and gets to act like a regular kid.

The trauma she has been through shows in so many ways. The little girl never even had a bedroom that was just hers. She has never been on any kind of amusement park ride.

The little girl keeps asking Alexa if she can sign up for softball, or maybe dance classes, or anything at all that would let her do what the other kids at school get to do.

In fact, she even wants Alexa to teach her how to ride a bike.

Thankfully, Alexa’s aunt was able to get legal custody of the girl. Now she is living in a warm, safe home where she can finally begin to heal and start fresh.

Alexa revealed that out of all the pain and mess of the last few weeks, the fact that the little girl is protected and that her future can be so much different now.

To help make Christmas special for her and give her some of the things she has missed out on for so long, Alexa put together an Amazon wishlist full of items that would make the holiday feel magical for the first time.

She also started up a GoFundMe page to cover other needs that won’t fit on Amazon, like new furniture for her bedroom, paint to make the space her own, clothes, and shoes that actually fit her.

Likewise, some experiences she has never had, like a trip to Busch Gardens or a visit to Build-A-Bear.

Alexa ended her post by saying how grateful she is that, even in the middle of such a terrible situation, at least this child is safe now and her life has a real chance to get better.

• Check other Articles on
• Alexa Bartholomew

Aditi is an avid music lover whose interest's goes beyond the realm of music, with passion in digital marketing. A Gen Z who loves her personal space and is keen to exploring new things. An optimist who seeks silver lining in every circumstances life throws at her.

Related articles

Madison Academy Team Doctor Dr. Jack Walker...

May 5, 2026

Autism Mom Speaks Out After Son Is...

May 5, 2026

Exhausted at Home: The Real Reason Teens...

May 4, 2026

Homeowner Warns Parents After Late-Night Doorbell Prank...

May 1, 2026

Comments

LEAVE A REPLY Cancel reply

Comment: Please enter your comment! Name:* Please enter your name here Email:* You have entered an incorrect email address! Please enter your email address here

Δ

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Share article

Madison Academy Team Doctor Dr. Jack Walker Moore Passes Away Leaving His Family!!!

- May 5, 20260 Dr. Jack Walker Moore, who practiced medicine at SportsMED and served as the team doctor for Madison Academy, passed away on Friday. Moore was...Read more News

Autism Mom Speaks Out After Son Is Cornered, Kicked, Then Disciplined for Fighting Back

- May 5, 20260 A mother of a child with autism and ADHD is speaking out after her son was bullied in a school bathroom, fought back in...Read more News

Exhausted at Home: The Real Reason Teens Bring Their Worst Moods Through the Front Door

- May 4, 20260 Every parent has been there. You hear the front door open, say a simple "hello," and get an eye roll or a grunt in...Read more Coach

University of Tennessee Basketball Coach Kim Van Atta Passes Away Leaving Her Husbad Gatry

- May 4, 20260 Lipscomb's first female athlete inducted into its Athletic Hall of Fame, Kim Van Atta, passed away. Kim Van Atta was a trailblazing figure in...Read more News

Homeowner Warns Parents After Late-Night Doorbell Prank by Kids Caught on Ring Camera

- May 1, 20260 A homeowner’s warning about late-night doorbell pranks caught on a Ring camera has sparked a heated online debate, dividing opinions on parenting, childhood behavior,...Read more