Nearly three years after the tragic death of her three-year-old daughter Scarlett, grieving mother Samantha Jensen has shared the heartbreaking story behind the last photo ever taken of her little girl.

On October 7, 2022, Samantha and her husband attended a wedding while Scarlett and her younger brother Henry stayed with their grandmother, Jamie, in Oldtown, Idaho. That afternoon, Jamie took the children for ice cream and a walk. When they returned home, Scarlett asked to get out of her stroller to pick flowers. Jamie captured a photo of Scarlett smiling, surrounded by nature—a picture Samantha later learned was the final image of her daughter alive.

Moments after, tragedy struck. A Chevy Tahoe sped down the driveway, hitting Jamie and the children. Despite Jamie’s efforts to shield them, Scarlett died almost instantly, while Henry and Jamie were critically injured.

The driver fled but was caught and sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Henry suffered a fractured spine, broken ribs, jaw, and collarbone, plus internal injuries. He spent a week in the PICU and wore a body brace for ten weeks. Jamie sustained multiple broken bones but recovered.

Weeks later, Samantha found Jamie’s lost phone and discovered Scarlett’s final photo, taken just minutes before her death. Though painful, Samantha now treasures it as a symbol of Scarlett’s last peaceful, happy moments.