My name is Brandi Dalton. I am the niece of Rickey and Emilee Smith. They are the most special people I have ever met. They selflessly help people because that is who they are. I have set up this account to help them so they can pay the rest of their legal fees and cover some badly needed expenses. Several months ago, my Aunt Emilee was contacted by a person for help; she served on an Executive Board with her. When my Aunt arrived at her house, she discovered this person's 12-year-old son had been in a domestic violence situation for a number of years. He was in a constant state of emotional, mental, physical abuse and maybe worse.
Because of the domestic violence and his living conditions, the child's case was referred to DCS. He told my Aunt not long after his mom abandoned him at their house that if he went to foster care, he would kill himself. My Aunt & Uncle quickly filed a private legal petition to get this child out of the situation he was in and make sure he didn't get lost in the system. To understand what this young boy has endured in his short life would cause you to be physically ill. I am the mother of this boy’s now best friend. I find it unconscionable that any parent would cause their child to be in the harmful situations he was and also to cause him such distress and anguish.
Withholding food from this child was used as a form of punishment. He was being consistently overmedicated. He was 64 lbs and 4’6 when he came to my Aunt and Uncle's house and is now 81 lbs and 4’11”. This happened within 6 months. He was never was able to go to friends’ houses or have friends over - now he does. He even ran track in school this year, which was the first time he ever participated in a competitive sport. He improved considerably throughout the season. To say he is thriving would be an understatement.
His father was incarcerated last year and promised his son that he would NEVER get back on drugs again and that his son was the most important thing in his life. He promised they would be living together soon because he would NEVER go back to jail. 21 days after he was released from jail, he was arrested again with far worse charges. Unfortunately, he broke his child's heart!
Nobody on either side of this family has stood up for this child’s best interest. The paternal grandparents would do so in a heartbeat, but are not in a position, financially and due to health concerns, to take care of this young boy. They are caring for his younger half-brother as it is. They have, however, taken an active part in this boy'slife. They see him at least once a month and talk to him on the phone regularly. They are good people but unfortunately do not have the means to raise both boys. His paternal grandparents have repeatedly said that my Aunt and Uncle are who they want this child to stay with and this is the only chance this boy will have a normal life with a loving family that will help him become the best that he can be.
This young man has gone from a house of constant violence, drugs, alcohol and worse to the most loving family I know. Our entire family has embraced him since the first day. If you watched him from before they got him until now, you would be totally amazed at how he is thriving. This child deserves a chance at a life full of love and safety. They have had him in therapy from the first week they legally had custody and they have sought every kind of emotional assistance that is available to him. They will stop at nothing to keep this child in a safe and loving environment.
I set up this GoFundMe account because my Aunt and Uncle have used all of the money they have saved to pay for the legal fees for this matter. The legal fees and expenses for this child just keep increasing and is beginning to cause a financial strain on them. They have already spent more than $17,000 in legal fees and necessary expenses for him and have received only $100 in child support from one parent in the 7 months that they have had him.
This money will be used to pay the rest of their legal fees (presently they need to come up with $3500 quickly) and get some necessary expenses taken care of for this child.
Please find it in your heart to help them. They are the most selfless people I know and what they are doing for this young boy completely defines their character.
Thank you from our entire family!!
Brandi Dalton
Because of the domestic violence and his living conditions, the child's case was referred to DCS. He told my Aunt not long after his mom abandoned him at their house that if he went to foster care, he would kill himself. My Aunt & Uncle quickly filed a private legal petition to get this child out of the situation he was in and make sure he didn't get lost in the system. To understand what this young boy has endured in his short life would cause you to be physically ill. I am the mother of this boy’s now best friend. I find it unconscionable that any parent would cause their child to be in the harmful situations he was and also to cause him such distress and anguish.
Withholding food from this child was used as a form of punishment. He was being consistently overmedicated. He was 64 lbs and 4’6 when he came to my Aunt and Uncle's house and is now 81 lbs and 4’11”. This happened within 6 months. He was never was able to go to friends’ houses or have friends over - now he does. He even ran track in school this year, which was the first time he ever participated in a competitive sport. He improved considerably throughout the season. To say he is thriving would be an understatement.
His father was incarcerated last year and promised his son that he would NEVER get back on drugs again and that his son was the most important thing in his life. He promised they would be living together soon because he would NEVER go back to jail. 21 days after he was released from jail, he was arrested again with far worse charges. Unfortunately, he broke his child's heart!
Nobody on either side of this family has stood up for this child’s best interest. The paternal grandparents would do so in a heartbeat, but are not in a position, financially and due to health concerns, to take care of this young boy. They are caring for his younger half-brother as it is. They have, however, taken an active part in this boy'slife. They see him at least once a month and talk to him on the phone regularly. They are good people but unfortunately do not have the means to raise both boys. His paternal grandparents have repeatedly said that my Aunt and Uncle are who they want this child to stay with and this is the only chance this boy will have a normal life with a loving family that will help him become the best that he can be.
This young man has gone from a house of constant violence, drugs, alcohol and worse to the most loving family I know. Our entire family has embraced him since the first day. If you watched him from before they got him until now, you would be totally amazed at how he is thriving. This child deserves a chance at a life full of love and safety. They have had him in therapy from the first week they legally had custody and they have sought every kind of emotional assistance that is available to him. They will stop at nothing to keep this child in a safe and loving environment.
I set up this GoFundMe account because my Aunt and Uncle have used all of the money they have saved to pay for the legal fees for this matter. The legal fees and expenses for this child just keep increasing and is beginning to cause a financial strain on them. They have already spent more than $17,000 in legal fees and necessary expenses for him and have received only $100 in child support from one parent in the 7 months that they have had him.
This money will be used to pay the rest of their legal fees (presently they need to come up with $3500 quickly) and get some necessary expenses taken care of for this child.
Please find it in your heart to help them. They are the most selfless people I know and what they are doing for this young boy completely defines their character.
Thank you from our entire family!!
Brandi Dalton
Organizer and beneficiary
Brandi Lynnette Dalton
Organizer
Harrison, TN
Emilee Smith
Beneficiary