21-year-old Shelby Ann Carter was building an idyllic family life. She and her boyfriend lived with her mother in Wyoming, Ill.

At the beginning of January 2017, the couple welcomed a beautiful daughter into the world. Shelby was absolutely delighted to be a mother

However, her plans for the future would end sadly.

On January 30th in 2017, the worst thing possible happened — and it was a terrible tragedy.

It spread quickly and in just a few seconds the house was filled with dangerous smoke — and there was no way to escape.

Even in the most life-threatening circumstances, and with an incredibly limited amount of time, Shelby had the presence of mind to quickly strap her into the carseat.

This hero mom had secured her newborn daughter in a car seat and then dropped her from the second-floor window.

With her last breath, she sacrificed her life for her daughter’s.

But, thanks to Shelby Carter’s quick thinking and actions, her daughter was completely unscathed.

“It’s just incredible that she was able to pull her thoughts together to save her baby… I’d say it’s nothing short of a miracle the way it ended up”, Chief of the Wyoming-Speer Fire Protection District Ed Foglesonger told The Washington Post.

Shelby Carter’s death was painful blow to the residents of Wyoming, a close-knit town of 1,400 people about three hours southwest of Chicago.

Following the catastrophe, neighbors started spreading the word on the Internet to help rebuild the house and provide some financial support for Shelby’s family members.

In just a few weeks, their fund reached almost $40,000.

Shelby Carter’s actions show the power of a mother’s love for her children.

Although it is a devastating loss and Keana will never meet her mother, she can grow up proud.