Jeffery’s story began before he was even born. His parents were young and not ready to raise a child. My sister, his mother, struggled a lot during her pregnancy. She had mental and physical health issues, and at one point was hospitalized with a serious infection. She talked about not wanting to live and even said she wished her baby would die too. I’m Jeffery’s aunt, and I tried to support her through it all.
Courtesy of Amanda Hall
Jeffery was born a big, healthy baby. But he didn’t have the safest home. My sister moved in with her boyfriend and his family, living in a basement with no crib — just a small chair for Jeffery to sleep in. I hardly saw them. She stopped replying to messages, even when I offered help.
Courtesy of Amanda Hall
Then, on September 5th, I got a text. The photo showed a tiny baby covered in wires and machines. At first, I didn’t even recognize that it was Jeffery. He had been rushed to the hospital after he stopped breathing while his mom’s boyfriend was working on a farm. Jeffery was just 3 months old. He had been in a chest carrier on a tractor. His little body couldn’t handle it.
Courtesy of Amanda Hall
When I arrived at the hospital, it broke my heart. Machines surrounded him. My sister and her boyfriend acted like nothing had happened. They didn’t stay by his side. I held his little hand, and not long after, I was able to hold him in my arms. A nurse told me he was having seizures and had brain bleeds. The doctors confirmed he had severe injuries — not from an accident, but from abuse.
Courtesy of Amanda Hall
Later, my sister confessed she had thrown Jeffery onto the bed multiple times because he wouldn’t stop crying. She eventually told a different version of what happened, but by then, the harm had already been done. CPS asked if I could care for Jeffery. I agreed without thinking twice. My family stepped up to help at home so I could be there for him.
Courtesy of Amanda Hall
Jeffery came home with medical needs. He had seizures, needed a feeding tube, and had to visit many doctors. I quit my job to care for him full-time. Slowly, he made progress. But then the seizures changed. He was diagnosed with a rare type called infantile spasms. We were rushed back to the hospital.
Courtesy of Amanda Hall
Courtesy of Amanda Hall
It was just me and him. He clung to me. I became his safe place. I was scared, but I never left his side. Through it all, Jeffery fought hard. Even though his parents failed him, he had me. And I was not going to let him go through this alone.
