Grieving Mom Begs Parents To Push Past 'I'm OK' After Losing Her 11-Year-Old Daughter

11-year-old Makayla Villatoro should have been celebrating her twelfth birthday. Instead, her grieving mom is pleading with parents everywhere to dig deeper when their kids say "I'm ok."

Hellem Villatoro is living every parent's worst nightmare. Her beautiful daughter is gone. And the sudden tragedy leaves behind a million unanswered questions.

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The tragic death of Makayla Villatoro came at the girl's own hand. And her suicide completely shocked her loving family. One day the bubbly 11-year-old was counting down to her birthday, the next, she was gone.

“She was fine, for her birthday, she got what she wanted… she wanted a PlayStation, she was getting a PlayStation,” said the girl's heartbroken mother, Hellem Villatoro. “It’s not right… I should be celebrating her birthday, not mourning my daughter. It’s the worst pain. It’s the worst pain in the world, how can you even go to sleep to know that she’s not there?”

Loss Of Makayla Villatoro Serves As Warning For Others

What has the family so in shock is the lack of warning signs. 

"She was always happy,” Hellem explained, “you can ask anyone, when have you seen Makayla cry?”

RELATED: Tormented Teen Dolly Everett Ends Life At 14 & Grieving Parents Share Tragic Story To Help Others

Whether bullying or some private internal battle played a part in Makayla's decision to end her life, we'll never know. And that's one of the biggest struggles her family must overcome as they grieve.

“So many I will never get answered,” her mother sobs. “The main question is why? why?”

With this new, painful reality setting in, the grieving mom of Makayla Villatoro has some advice for other parents. She urges them to be vigilant in checking in on their child's mental health.

“Watch your kids closely. Even if they say ‘Mom, it’s okay.’ No. Push them. Push them. Look in their phones,” Hellem Villatoro says.

It's difficult to tell when a smile may be masking a deeper pain. Our prayers go out for the grieving family of Makayla Villatoro. And our hope is that her story will inspire those struggling with mental health to reach out and get help.

If you or someone you love is facing this battle, please don't hesitate to call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.

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"Hear my cry, God. Listen to my prayer. From the end of the earth, I will call to you, when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I." Psalm 61:1-2

WATCH: Death Of Makayla Villatoro Shocks Community

LISTEN: Touching True Story of Tragedy Behind Popular Children's Book 'Love You Forever'

h/t: CBS Miami

Featured Image Credit: Youtube/CBSDFW

Mel is the senior writer for GodUpdates, finding, writing and sharing Christian, uplifting, and health-related stories from around the world. Mel has a passion for writing and graduated with a degree in English from Randolph-Macon College in Virginia. When she’s not researching and writing stories, Mel is very active in her church. You can usually find Mel playing board games with her husband and two young girls, giving someone a hug, or hunting down a good cup of coffee!