My friend's little girl, Jocelyn, is 7 weeks old. She was born a couple weeks before the Littlest Little. She lived with her mom and dad at her paternal grandparent's home. Last week, her mom went upstairs to wash some bottles. Her dad was holding Jocelyn and giving her a bottle. 8 hours later she was in the hospital and it was not good.
Seems her dad was "tired", perhaps he didn't like hearing her cry. Who knows. What is known is this: This sweet seven week old was hit by her father on the side of her head, smacked so hard that he fractured her skull. He grabbed her by the shoulders and slammed her onto his lap. He broke her clavicle, left bruises on both shoulders. The hit to her head gave her a black eye and bleeding in the brain. She is seven. weeks. old.
Jocelyn's mom and dad were both questioned. He confessed to what he did. When she asked why, all he could say was that he was tired.
He was arrested and charged with 1st degree assault which is a felony. He has priors. He's being held on $500,000 bond and I doubt anyone will pony up the $50,000 so he can be out pending trial.
They won't be living with his parents anymore. It's nothing against her grandparents, they need to be with their family. They need a safe environment for Jocelyn. His parents are so understanding. They support whatever decision is made.
J-Lo and I went to see Jocelyn and her mom on Saturday. I don't know that you can accurately describe what you feel when you see a tiny baby laying in a big bed, alone, hooked up to so many machines. A ventilator, a feeding tube, suction for the fluid in the
lungs, monitors for breathing and heart rate. It's kills a little bit of you when you see it.
Her neurologist says that Jocelyn was probably shaken in addition to the other horrors that happened. That, as well as the hit to the head, probably contributed to the bleeding in her brain. This would also explain the seizures she's been having. They last anywhere from a couple minutes to a twenty minute one she had Sat morning. She was sedated until today to keep the seizures under some control.
They won't know what the extent of the damage is until she's older but so far she's hanging in there. She's a tough little girl. She came off the ventilator today. She drank from a bottle today. She will be moved from the PICU to a regular room tomorrow. Things are looking up.
I know that Jocelyn and her mom are very thankful for all of the prayers and the loving thoughts and support that have been shown to them. I ask my friends and family to please keep them in their prayers. I will be sure to keep you updated on how she's doing.
Thank you again for the love and support. Keep it coming!
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