Profiting off tragedy? Guyton's family says some scamming the community in Sierra's name

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- They've been through hell and back. Now, the family of 10-year-old Sierra Guyton, seriously injured after she was shot while playing on a playground near 28th and Clarke, says someone is trying to benefit from the tragedy.

Sierra Guyton's family tells FOX6 News she is stable, but unresponsive -- and is now being taken off some medications.

Her family says the medical bills are mounting -- and some people are scamming the community in Guyton's name.

At Sierra Guyton's home on the city's north side, prayer has been constant, since the little girl was caught in the crossfire last Wednesday, May 21st -- shot in the head as she played on the playground.

"Just asking God to be a fence around the whole situation. We have a lot of sleepless nights," Guyton's grandmother, Bridgette Perry said.

Guyton's mother and grandmother have spent many hours at little Sierra's hospital bedside.

"She`s non-responsive. She`s lying there," Perry said.

Now, there is another struggle -- for a family that has already been through so much.

"I`m kind of numb with this," Perry said.

Guyton's family has learned strangers are scamming people.

"This is what we have to watch out for," community activist Tory Lowe said.

"I just want to say to them, `shame on you,'" Perry said.

Guyton's family says people in the community are collecting money in Sierra Guyton's name -- trying to profit off of a tragedy.

"We`re not going to just let them make a mockery of my granddaughter," Perry said.

The family is warning they are NOT collecting money on the street -- but instead working to set up a fund.

"We want to make sure that we have a structure -- that people know the money is going directly to the family," Lowe said.

Guyton's family is trying to stay strong. Right now, they're asking the community for something more powerful than money.

"I just want them to keep us in their prayers, keep us in their prayers," Perry said.

Guyton's family is working to establish a legitimate fund with U.S. Bank. That should be finalized on Thursday.

CLICK HERE to read a collection of stories related to the shooting of 10-year-old Sierra Guyton via FOX6Now.com.