Online fundraiser started for family of 4-year-old killed by fallen branch

An online fundraiser has been started for the family of a little girl who was killed by a fallen tree branch at a Mankato park last week.

Nytalia Ashes died early Friday morning at a Mankato hospital after the branch fell on the tent she was sleeping in at Land of Memories Park.

Storms with strong winds and heavy rain had rolled through the Mankato area, including the park, where preparations for the annual Wacipi powwow were underway.

Ashes’ mother, Nyssa Ashes, said on the fundraiser page that it’s a family tradition to attend the powwow in Mankato.  She says her daughter was looking forward to her first time as a jingle dancer in the powwow.

The family is from Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

More than $12,000 has been raised to help Nytalia’s family with funeral expenses.