NEW BOSTON, TX — A 10-year-old Texas girl was electrocuted and killed when she reached behind her dryer to save her two kittens. Katie Jimenez, a public information officer for police in New Boston, said officers got the call of a possible electrocution around 7 p.m. Saturday.

Fire crews, police officers and medical personnel were sent to the home on U.S. Route 82, she said. The home is about 150 miles east of Dallas.

“Once they were at the scene, they found her next to the dryer,” said Jimenez.

Greenlee Marie appeared to be electrocuted and authorities believe the dryer was to blame. She was behind the machine looking for the cats.

“There were some kittens in her house and I guess they used to go behind the dryer, so she went back there to pull them out. She touched the dryer and they believe it electrocuted her,” Jimenez said.

The girl’s mother, Shelby Roos, confirmed her daughter’s death in a Facebook post Monday afternoon.

“With the heaviest of hearts I want to tell y’all our Greenlee was tragically taken from us Sat night,” the post said. “She was such a light in this world and everyone she ever met couldn’t help but fall in love with her.”

Roos told Patch the kittens survived.

“They are in rescue and will be adopted into loving homes in her honor,” Roos said in a Facebook message. “She gave her life for them.”

Power to the house has been shut off and the girl’s mother, who initially called police, is living with relatives elsewhere. No other children were in the house at the time.

The girl’s body has been sent to a medical examiner’s office in Dallas. Those results could take a few weeks.

The Texas Department of License and Regulation is investigating, along with fire officials.

“We’re just waiting for those reports to come back so we know what kind of case this is going to be,” said Jimenez.

Greenlee wanted to to grow up and become a veterinarian to help more animals, so the family is asking that asking that in lieu of any flowers or cards, the community donate money to a GoFundMe account created to continue her passion for “helping animals in our community.”

“At just 10 years of age, she had such a compassionate heart, not just for people but for orphaned and injured animals as well. At the wishes of her beloved parents, fundraising in Greenlee’s memory are being made available to all who knew her and loved her in our community,” a post for the account said.

Those interested can also make donations at Farmers Bank & Trust under her grandmother’s name, Daphne Patrick.

Farmers Bank & Trust

2900 St. Michaels Dr. Texarkana, TX 75503

903-791-0490

This version has been corrected to reflect that Greenlee was reaching for two kittens, not three as police initially said.

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GoFundMe is a Patch promotional partner.

Photo credit: Shelby Roos, used with permission