Leila and Danny Abdallah welcome new baby after losing three children in crash

The parents of three children who were fatally killed by a drunk driver have welcomed a new baby into the world, with dad Danny Abdallah calling her “their emblem of hope for the future”. See the photo.

The parents of three children who were fatally mowed down by a drunk driver two years ago wept tears of joy when their newborn daughter came into the world at precisely 7.45am on Friday.

Leila and Danny Abdallah, who lost their daughters Sienna, 8, and Angelina, 12, and son Antony, 13, in the tragedy at Oatlands in western Sydney in 2020, said their 3.31kg daughter will carry on their legacy.

Exclusive picture: Danny and Leila Abdallah with their newborn bub.

“Thank God it went well, it felt so surreal when I saw her for the first time. She’s beautiful. I felt so happy I cried tears of joy,” said a very tired Leila on Friday morning.

“We’ve brought a new life into the world. I can’t believe how blessed we are after everything we’ve lost. She will carry on Sienna, Angelina and Antony’s memories.

“She’s taught us life hits us with bad things but not to give up – we feel really blessed. She’s our seventh child, a little girl, I’m almost speechless.”

An emotional Danny added: “We are absolutely over the moon – you see, resilience and forgiveness what it gives you? We’ve got a beautiful new life and cannot thank God enough.

“I didn’t worry that she started going into contractions, we’ve been through a lot of grief in life, so we both took it calmly.

“Leila was hoovering and looked up at me and said ‘I think she’s finally coming’.

“We’ve both waited for this moment for a long time and we cannot believe is here.

“This afternoon our other children will meet the new sister for the first time. I’m so happy for them. She’s their emblem of hope for the future.”

Danny and Leila Abdallah with their children, Michael, 5, Alex, 7, and Liana, 12, in January. Picture: Justin Lloyd

Leila Abdallah cried “tears of joy” when her baby girl was born on Friday. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

This afternoon the baby will be named by the couple’s eldest surviving daughter Liana, who prayed for a new sister and last Christmas requested new clothes for the baby.

“It’s Liana’s baby, she is so excited about having a little again. This is going to be her little baby and she’s gonna help raise her, and be her mother,” Leila said.

Antony (left), Sienna (second left) and Angelina (right) were killed in the crash.

The Abdallah’s cousin Veronique Sakr was also killed. Her mother Bridget Sakr is pictured at home. Picture: Justin Lloyd

Danny Abdallah supported by friends at the crash scene in 2020. Picture: John Grainger

The family are hopeful their newborn will give new purpose to their surviving children Liana, 12, Alex, 7, and Michael, 5, and mark a new joyous chapter for the family.

The Abdallahs’ lives were ripped apart when drunk and drugged ute driver Samuel Davidson ploughed into their three children as they walked to get ice-cream in Sydney’s northwest alongside Oatlands golf course.

They launched a week-long ‘I4give’ campaign in honour of their three children and niece who died in the tragedy and, as Maronite Christians, made headlines when they publicly declared they forgave Davidson.

The family are negotiating with Parramatta Council over a memorial site to be built on Bennington Road in honour of the lost children.

The family met Parramatta Lord Mayor Donna Davis on February 6 and had positive talks to honour the children with a small garden.

It comes after the golf club turned down a memorial on part of its course amid a building proposal triggering community outrage last year. Even Prime Minister Scott Morrison pleaded with the board to consider the grieving families and allow the memorial to be built.

Originally published as Leila and Danny Abdallah welcome new baby after losing three children in crash