CARROLL COUNTY, Ga. -- Entertainment mogul Tyler Perry has offered to pay for the funeral expenses of two baby girls who died in a hot car.
Police said Ariel Roxanne and Alaynah Marianne North, both 15 months old, died after being left in their car seats in the back of their dad's SUV Thursday evening. The incident happened outside an apartment on Tillman Drive. Neighbors saw the twins in the arms of the father as he was running from the direction of his SUV. Some tried to help but it was too late. The girls were pronounced dead at the hospital.
A source close to Perry said he saw the story and was moved to call the funeral home and tell them he would pay the bill.
MORE | Photos from the scene
Their father, 24-year-old Asa North, was charged with two counts on involuntary manslaughter and two counts of reckless conduct. Police said he was drinking with his cousin while the girls were dying in the SUV.
Breal Ellis, the girl's mom, was not home when they died. Speaking with 11Alive's Neima Adbulahi, she didn't want to speak about what happened but said she's thankful for Perry's generosity.
"I want them to go out with a bang like princesses. But I didn’t have it. I was already struggling myself," Ellis said.
Ellis said the twins meant the world to her.
"I wanted to take them to Disney World next year," she said.
This type of philanthropy is not new for Perry because he's helped struggling families in the past.
The family said the funeral will be held Thursday at Bethlehem Temple Church in Carrollton. It's expected to begin at 1 p.m.
Photos | Tyler Perry through the years
Photo | Tyler Perry through the years
Stay updated on this and other stories by downloading the FREE 11Alive News app now in the iTunes store or on Google Play.
