GREENSBORO, N.C. — A 10-year-old girl is now living life to the fullest after she went through what no child should in Greensboro.
In January of 2023, Aacuria Hinton was asleep in her bed at the corner of Autumn Drive and Ryan Street, when a stray bullet pierced her bedroom wall and struck her in the mouth.
Her injuries landed her in the hospital.
Now after an extensive recovery process, Hinton is doing much better and dancing again.
Nails, makeup, gymnastics and skincare are just some of the things 10-year-old Aacuria Hinton enjoys doing nowadays to lift her spirit.
"I couldn’t be more of a proud parent to be able to stand by her side and see her accomplish and achieve these steps, especially when a year and a half ago that wasn’t quite certain," Michael Hinton said.
The Hinton family continues to take it day by day after the horrifying moment interrupted their lives.
"It wasn’t just traumatic for her, it was as well traumatic for all of us here who love and care for her," said M. Hinton
The 10-year-old's family moved her out of state to help deal with the trauma.
"She knows that something happened to her. We discussed these things. She knows that she is very much a big warrior when it comes to being a gunshot victim survivor," said M. Hinton.
The 10-year-old lost her jawbone, a good portion of her tongue, and had some damage to her teeth.
She went through multiple surgeries and will soon schedule a trip to the dentist.
"We are working to get some implants in her mouth," said M. Hinton.
While she has shown resilience, her father says there have been some challenges, like the moments she looks at photos of herself and is discouraged by what she sees.
"She definitely was in a spot where she thought that no one would love her and that she wasn’t pretty," said M. Hinton.
She even had trouble falling asleep.
"She had a few nightmares when we first brought her home," said Michael Hinton.
But now she is learning healthy bedtime routines and is constantly reminded by her loved ones that she is beautiful inside out.
Over a year later, Greensboro police are still looking for the person responsible.
"Nobody is owning up to knowing or wanting to make a difference in the world let alone in a community. It is very much sad," said Michael Hinton.
While justice has yet to be served, it hasn't stopped little Aacuria from enjoying life and school.
In fact, that's her advice to others: Don't let the tough times bring you down.
"Always believe in yourself and never give up and if something is hard just pray to God," Aacuria Hinton said.
Aacuria's father tells News 2 she will need to have surgery again when she turns 13.
As for the investigation, police encourage anyone with information to step up and call crime stoppers.