When Jodie and John found out their sweet infant granddaughter was being physically and psychologically abused as well as neglected by her mother, they immediately stepped in to help in any way they could. At first, their plan was to help their son, the baby’s father, escape from his abusive marriage so that he could raise his daughter in a safe and healthy environment. When it became apparent that their son had no intentions of leaving his wife, Jodie and John were awarded guardianship of the baby by DCFS as part of an ongoing emergency safety plan.

Jodie and John found out that their 14 month old granddaughter was being locked in a dark, windowless bathroom for over 14 hours each day, given only one bottle of milk during that time, and being left in the same soiled diaper all day long. She was routinely physically abused and used as a pawn caught in the middle of a toxic marriage. The baby had profound deficits in her physical, social, and emotional development, which could only be attributed to the ongoing abuse and neglect she suffered. DCFS indicated both parents as the source of the longterm abuse and neglect, and declared that they were not fit to continue raising their daughter.

Suddenly, Jodie and John found themselves the guardians of a nearly 15 month old baby who came with nothing more than a bottle, three diapers, and the one outfit she was wearing. They realized they needed to immediately collect everything required to care for a 15 month old: a crib, car seats, a stroller, a highchair, baby carriers, diapers, wipes, food, toys, clothing, etc. All of the things that most families spend months collecting or saving up for. Thankfully, their community came together to make sure they had the absolute necessities, but the financial cost of all of this has taken its toll. For the first month, Jodie was stuck 1000 miles from home in a hotel with her granddaughter, not yet having permission from Illinois DCFS to leave the state with the baby. She missed countless days at work, and wasn’t sure she’d qualify for parental leave, given the circumstances. Jodie was terrified she would lose her job, but keeping her granddaughter safe was worth that risk. Jodie’s husband John was traveling back and forth between their home in North Carolina and the hotel in Illinois where Jodie and the baby were staying, all while trying to work full time.

Jodie and John have been caring for their sweet little granddaughter for months now, at great personal and financial cost. With all of the time Jodie has had to take off from work, she is still at risk of losing her job as a government employee. They have liquidated their retirement accounts to cover the costs of travel, attorneys’ fees, lengthy hotel stays from when they hadn’t yet gotten permission to return to their home state with the baby as well as each time they must appear in court in Illinois, emergency doctors’ visits, therapy costs for the baby, food, clothing, baby supplies, and all the other expenses that come with suddenly being the guardians of a 15 month old that you weren’t aware you would be the sole caregivers of. They’ve had to quickly acquire diapers, car seats, strollers, a crib, clothing, toys, books, diaper bags, baby food, and all of the necessities, basically with no notice. Their friends and family have been immensely helpful, and they are so grateful for the community that has formed through these circumstances, but their costs are going to keep growing as their legal battle continues. Please consider dontating anything you are able to help ensure this sweet, caring, curious, intelligent little girl goes into permanent custody of her loving grandparents. Even the smallest amount helps, and please share Jodie and John’s story. Thank you!