The sparkle of Christmas for little Natasha Dorgan is dim this year. The 5-year-old's mom, Fawn, died at home two weeks ago from complications related to pneumonia.
Bobby Dorgan had to explain to his daughter that she'd never see her mother again.
"She'll ask about mom. She'll ask, where mommy is, when can she see her, and we have to remind her that she's in heaven," said Dorgan.
Fawn had been feeling ill but continued working two jobs to help support her family. She returned home from an overnight shift at McDonald's and went to bed as Dorgan went to work.
She wasn't seen by a doctor as the couple couldn't afford health insurance.
"I thought she was doing better," said Dorgan. "When I left for work she seemed fine, and when I got home, she was gone."
Lake Stevens Police Officer Chris Schedler got the call to investigate the death and what he discovered broke his heart.
"Little Natasha was sitting on the couch. I came out of the bedroom where her mom was and saw her big eyes looking at me helplessly," said Schedler.
"Chris couldn't sleep that night when he came home," said Marie, Schedler's wife. "He spent all night tossing and turning and woke up in the morning and said, 'I've got to do something about this.'"
Officer Schedler did just that. He took up a collection, buying the family a Christmas tree and some decorations.
On Monday, he and Marie dropped off a few presents.
"Our hope is to make Christmas a little extra special considering the circumstances," said Schedler.
Natasha and her dad have been taken in by their neighbors because staying in their own place is still too much. For now, they're trying to make things as cheerful as possible with Christmas cookies and bright lights.
Hanging atop the Christmas tree this year is Fawn's favorite rosary.
"We put it up there in memory of mom," Dorgan told Natasha. "She loves you very, very much."
While no one can ever give this sweet little girl the only thing she really wants for Christmas, her dad, neighbors, and a concerned police officer can give her love -- which is exactly what her mother would want.
"It's gonna be rough without her being here, but she's always with us," said Dorgan.
Officer Schedler arranged a special Christmas Eve party with Lake Stevens police and fire for Natasha, as well as a visit from Santa.
Natasha and all of the kids in her neighborhood received holiday goodies.