12-year-old Bronx girl dances to ‘Still Alive’ while recovering from traumatic experience with her stepfather.

A 12-year-old girl from the Bronx has gained widespread attention after appearing in a TikTok video following a harrowing ordeal involving her stepfather, Joshua Burnside. Despite her traumatic experiences, which her mother has described as a long and arduous recovery process, the girl was seen dancing to the song “Still Alive” on the social media platform. The incident of abuse has shocked the community and highlighted concerns over domestic violence.

Joshua Burnside, 29, has been charged with a series of grave offenses, including attempted aggravated murder, attempted murder, assault, attempted assault, endangering the welfare of a child, and criminal possession of a weapon. The allegations against him are particularly disturbing; prosecutors allege that he subjected his stepdaughter to extreme physical violence, utilizing multiple implements, such as knives, a fork, and even a 6-inch-long needle, which he drove through her nose into her brain. Burnside has pleaded not guilty to the charges during his arraignment at Bronx Supreme Court, presided over by Justice Alvin Yearwood.

The violent incident occurred on October 22, 2023, when Burnside reportedly attacked his 31-year-old wife and her daughter during a domestic dispute inside their apartment on E. 173rd Street. According to prosecutors, Burnside first stabbed his wife in the abdomen before turning his aggression toward his stepdaughter, who witnessed the unfolding violence.

The 12-year-old girl has been left with significant physical and emotional scars, resounding the need for community support as detailed in a GoFundMe campaign established by her mother. The campaign, launched on November 2, aims to alleviate overwhelming medical expenses for emergency care, surgeries, therapy, and continuous rehabilitation. However, as of now, it has raised only since its inception.

Despite her struggles, the young girl’s resilience has shone through, as evidenced by her social media presence. In a recent TikTok post dated November 11, 2023, she appears to radiate joy, albeit while dealing with evident physical injuries, including facial disfigurement.

Witnesses reported that a neighbor attempted to aid the girl’s mother as she fled their apartment seeking help, describing the horrifying scene. Fortunately, Burnside’s own children, aged 5 and 2, were unharmed during this violent episode.

Emergency services transported the injured girl to NYC Health+Hospitals Jacobi, and she was subsequently moved to Cohen Children’s Hospital in New Hyde Park, where surgeons were able to remove the dangerous object lodged in her brain.

Currently, Burnside remains in custody without bail and is scheduled to return to court on February 23, 2024. As the legal proceedings unfold, the community continues to rally around the young survivor, raising awareness about the reality of domestic violence and the imperative of supporting victims.