Toddler called Miracle lives up to her name

A 22-month-old girl named Miracle was found standing beside the decomposing remains of her pregnant mother, surviving alone for at least five days before police broke down their door.

Police in Atlanta, Georgia, responding to a report of a foul smell, discovered the toddler next to Lawarna Stevenson, 26, said spokesman Sergeant John Quigley.

An autopsy indicated Stevenson died from complications of diabetes and hypertension.

The little girl was malnourished, dehydrated and soiled although there was evidence she may have found food in the pantry and drank some soda, Quigley said.

Mike Alsip, a medical examiner’s office investigator, said the degree of decomposition indicated Stevenson had been dead at least five days.

However, police said unclaimed mail indicated she may have died as long as 10 days earlier.

Kenneth Spencer, who lived above the family, said he last saw Miracle on Friday, looking at him from a window.

‘‘That child was looking at me, probably asking for help,’’ Spencer said.