The Abdallah family, who lost three children in horror crash, have revealed the gender of their new baby who is due next week
“We spoke about naming them after the kids but it’s not fair on the child to have the identity of the other children ...’’
The nation’s heart bled for Leila and Danny Abdallah when a horror crash involving a drunk driver took the lives of three of their children and their niece.
One year on from the tragedy, the grieving parents shocked Australians everywhere when they publicly forgave the driver who killed Sienna, 8, Angelina, 12, and Antony, 13, alongside cousin Veronique Sakr, 11, in the crash at Oatlands, NSW, on February 1, 2020.
Now the family is getting ready to welcome a seventh child into their lives and have revealed the gender and possible name suggestions.
It’s a girl!
In December 2021, the family announced that they are expecting another baby, saying God has blessed them with “gift from above”.
Speaking with the The Daily Telegraph Danny revealed that the family was “excited and happy” about welcoming the new addition who is due next in mid-March.
“We’re looking forward to the new addition. We’re having a baby girl. As you’re aware, we lost two girls on the day of the tragedy. “We’re very grateful” he said.
After suffering such a significant loss, the family did consider honouring their lost children by sharing their names with the new baby, but decided against the move for very sweet reasons.
“We spoke about naming our daughter after the kids but it’s not fair on the child to have the identity of the other children,’’ the proud father explained.
“We wanted her to have the best possible start. I don’t feel it’s the right thing to name her after a child, after one of her siblings. The middle name might be Angelina or Sienna.’’
This beautiful new blessing will be a welcome addition to the family for the couple’s children, Michael, Liana and Alex who have been “praying’ for a sibling.
“My children prayed they could have another brother or sister,” Leila told The Daily Telegraph in December.
“This is a new life, a new beginning for the kids, it has given them a new purpose in life. And seeing them happy and giving them joy is my purpose in life now.”
Determined that their family not let the unspeakable tragedy impact the happiness of their children, the couple work hard to ensure that their children have as normal a life as possible.
“We don’t want to bring them down. We want them to get married and flourish and have full lives and dream again. That is what this new baby means,” Danny Abdallah said.
On that nightmare day, the children were killed after they were struck by a ute as they walked on a footpath to get ice cream.
“FORGIVENESS gives you freedom and allows you to live your life peacefully,” Leila Abdallah said one year after a crash that took the lives of her beautiful babies.
One the anniversary of the tragic loss, the children’s families launched an annual memorial, i4Give Day “honouring our four little saints in heaven” while urging people to reflect on the importance of relationships in their lives.
“We chose to turn our tragedy into a greater goodness. We chose to carry our cross with dignity. We chose forgiveness and love over hatred…” said Leila.
“Forgiveness is the greatest gift you can give yourself.”
This incredible selfless act saw Leila named as 2021’s Mother Of The Year.
Danny has also revealed the families were negotiating with Parramatta Council about a memorial that will honour their children along Bettington Rd after discussions for a memorial with Oatlands Golf Club site failed.
