Florida Lightning Strike Kills Mother and Toddler Daughter in Margate

A 31-year-old woman and her 2-year-old daughter were killed by a lightning strike Sunday afternoon while standing on a residential sidewalk near 7900 Northwest First Street in Margate, Florida, according to local police and emergency responders.

Margate Police Department officers and Margate Fire Rescue personnel responded to a 911 call at approximately 2:30 p.m. First responders performed CPR and provided emergency life-saving treatment at the scene before transporting both victims to separate medical facilities.

Authorities identified the mother as Kenya Glasgow, who was taken to North Broward Medical Center in Deerfield Beach. Her 2-year-old daughter was rushed to Broward Health Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale under police escort. Both were pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospitals.

Witnesses reported that the mother and daughter appeared to be exiting their vehicle when the lightning bolt struck them. Prince Moody, a nearby resident who witnessed the incident, said he heard the strike after returning home.

"I heard the loudest lightning strike I could hear, thunder, and an orange glow went through my window," Moody said.

Moody stated that his son alerted him that someone had been hit outside, prompting him to run onto the street to render aid and call emergency services.

"Very traumatic scene," Moody said. "I offered aid as much as I could, calmed the family down, and I started praying. I called 911 immediately."

The neighbor expressed sympathy for the surviving family members while first responders secured the area.

"Imagine the family that’s actually going through this. The father, you know. I have a kid and I can imagine. My thoughts and prayers," Moody said.

The FOX Forecast Center reported that Sunday's severe weather aligns with typical summer thunderstorm patterns in Florida. According to data from the National Lightning Safety Council, 12 people across the United States have died from lightning strikes in 2026, with safety experts noting that lightning can strike up to 10 miles away from a storm core.

The Margate Police Department expressed condolences to the victims' family and confirmed that an investigation into the incident remains active.