Life can change in an instant.

My name is Lilli Etheridge, and my life, and more importantly, the life of my son Sloan changed in an instant earlier this month. My son’s father, Rennon, and I had been successfully coparenting while living together for Sloan’s early years, doing our best to maturely navigate things as friends even after our romantic relationship ended. Unfortunately, Rennon was silently struggling and took his own life on 11/9/23, on the eve of Sloan’s first birthday. It was a traumatic, heart-breaking end to the life of a man with a good heart, kind smile, and Viking spirit.

Sloan and I have made it through the last couple of weeks with the support of family and friends who’ve propped us up through this unexpected, tragic loss that’s left me a single, 22 year old mom to a sweet baby that’s the spitting image of his daddy.

While this situation is emotionally devastating and traumatic, there is also a difficult financial aspect that has been unexpectedly added onto my plate.

Rennon and I were co-leasers of our townhome at Luxe of McKinney, and while I’d hoped for some humanity and grace, they have chosen to hold me solely liable for the early lease termination despite the loss of our income-earner and the negative impact it would have on my mental health to stay in that home with memories of Rennon in every room. I have appealed the decision unsuccessfully with W3 (the corporation above Luxe) and I’m speaking with a lawyer, but in the meantime, rent is due and the fees to end the lease are over $6000.

Also, I have a lifetime of raising Sloan without Rennon’s love, humor, and his financial support. He needs diapers, formula, doctor appointments now, and more in the future.

I work full-time and have a second job, but this sudden change in our situation is more than I can bear alone. If you’re able to help, with love, thoughts, or contributions, Sloan and I would most definitely appreciate it.

(Please note: any funds will initially be used to vacate our lease and then saved for Sloan’s expenses.)