One mother helping to fight fentanyl death crisis

RICHMOND, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – One mother in Richmond, who lost her daughter last year to fentanyl poisoning tells her story and the work she’s doing help stop the fentanyl crisis in Kentucky.

Cheyenne Helm, the founder of the Bright Light Foundation, lost her four-year-old daughter Brighton in 2023, and started the foundation in her honor.

“Due to the death of my child who passed away in February 2023, to fentanyl poisoning,” said Helm. “So I’m trying to bring awareness to fentanyl and that is happening in our communities, and it’s taking the lives of our loved ones and innocent lives.”

Helm left her daughter with family thinking she was safe, but her world would soon turn upside down.

“Brighton had a very rare condition called turner syndrome,” said Helm. “And for three weeks, I thought that was the cause of her death. I had a gut punch, when I come to find out looking at the toxicology report that that was not the cause for death.”

Helm still fighting for justice over her daughter’s death and the pain it has caused.

“The trust that I had there is no longer a friend turned into an enemy, a family member turned into an enemy. I want justice for my daughter. She did not deserve that our family did not deserve that”

This Saturday, Helm is helping to host a community rally in Richmond called ‘Community Against Drug Dealers’.

“To bring awareness, brand awareness, and let people know about the statistics of the drug dealers and the fentanyl that is killing our loved ones. ”

According to statistics, in 2023 Madison County lost 69 people to fentanyl overdoses.

To those that have lost someone to fentanyl poisoning, Helm says “I just want to say that you can continue to fight for them continue to fight. Do not let their name be forgotten.”

Helm says anyone can make sure their voices are heard and can help turn in a drug dealer at 859-237-5187.