Main fundraiser photo

Help Heal the Cole Family

The Cole Family Needs Your Help to Heal the wounds left behind by Abuse and Neglect:  Justice of Jenna, Makenzie, and Nikki!


DISCLAIMER:  This description contains information related to abuse/neglect of children and may be difficult for some readers. 

Jenna is a vibrant and happy five year old little girl with a big fight on her hands due to the effects of early childhood abuse/neglect at the hands of her biological family.  Jenna was born to a mother and father that abused alcohol and drugs; who fought frequently in Jenna’s presence; and who severely neglected this beautiful little girl.  

Newaygo County, Michigan Children’s Protective Services became involved within 3 months of Jenna's birth.  According to reports, on October 6, 2011, the biological mother and father engaged in a very public fight at a high school football game.  The mother left the game, taking the only car and leaving the children ages: 2 months and 12 years old stranded at the game.  During the next week, the 12 year old brother provided care for Jenna.  He watched the mother sit on the couch and cry as she consumed large amounts of alcohol.  Then on October 11, 2011, the mother attacked Jenna's biological father by punching and throwing things at him with the children present.  Jenna's 12 year old half brother became the next target as the mother bagan calling him a "faggot" and "failure."  At this time Jenna was one day short of three months old.  That night, the mother overdosed on pills and was hospitalized.  The 12 year old brother had to go to the hospital in order to take care of three month old Jenna.  He went without dinner that night, didn't get his homework done, and was scared.  On November 1, 2011, the mother again attempted to overdose and on November 2, 2011 was drinking a gallon of Captain Morgan; again becoming very violent.  At this time, CPS placed the three other/older children with their other parents, but Jenna remained in the home (she didn't have another parent to care for her).  On November 4, 2011, Jenna's older sisters went to their mother's home to get some belongings.  They found Jenna's mother sitting on the floor in the garage and described her as looking "possessed."  As they entered the home they saw a half empty gallon of Captain Morgan in the kitchen.  The  father was passed out on the couch near a second half empty bottle of liquor.  Jenna was propped in a swing in front of the TV, completely unattended and without a sober caregiver.  They called their father and he called 911 - THANKYOU Gregg!  The police responded to the home, but no one would answer the door.  The shades were down and the police couldn't hear a baby crying so they just left.  CPS was not satisfied, as the worker who was familiar with the family knew it was likely they were so drunk that they couldn't hear the knocks by the police and was fearful for Jenna's safety.  Two CPS workers went out to the home and got the father to open the door.  He was holding baby Jenna and told CPS her aunt was already on the way to pick Jenna up. The biological mother was extremely intoxicated, blowing a .32.  She had no regard for her infant daughter being present as she repeatedly made rude and threatening comments to CPS.  This was the first time Jenna was placed outside of the home - she was only three months old.  Then, on November 7, 2011, the mother and father gave Jenna's aunt a power of attorney.  Jenna was to stay with her aunt and uncle until further notice.  The biological mother agreed to inpaitent treatment, but that same night she overdosed on medication and was again intoxicated.  After this, the parents did 'okay' for a short time and CPS placed Jenna back in the home on December 20, 2011.  The sobriety didn't last long. 

On March 16, 2012 the parents dropped Jenna back off to her aunt and sent out a text message saying "I chose to drink."  Around this time, CPS indicated they were going to file for in home jurisdication, meaning Jenna would remain in the home of her parents with ongoing oversight.  It is unclear if this happened.  Then on July 2, 2012, the biological mother and father got into a fight and the father slapped the mother in the face.  The next day, July 3, 2012, the father and mother again got into a fight.  Jenna was 11 months old.  The father choked the mother and was arrested by police.  The mother was highly intoxicated, but Jenna was left in her care.  No one contacted CPS until the next day.  On July 4, 2012, CPS went out to the home first thing in the morning.  As they were there, the police also arrived.  The police told CPS they were there because the mother had called 911 and said she was drinking and couldn't take care of her Jenna.  At one point during this incident, the mother went outside; leaving Jenna (an infant) inside the home alone.  CPS observed the mother to continue to drink from a gallon of Captain Morgan and smoke cigarettes.  CPS advised they were not babysitters and the mother responded Jenna was fine inside the home, alone.  The mother's blood alcohol was .286 at 11am.  A  petition was filed and the Court removed Jenna from the home.  Jenna was again placed with her aunt and uncle.  What's bothersome about this is that they too had been drinking!  Jenna's older sister remembers this day vividly.  She was visiting with her aunt and uncle who were out boating.  Because they had been drinking, CPS had to drive Jenna to them.  They pulled up to shore and Jenna's teenage sister got off the boat.  Jenna's aunt and uncle never got off.... they just went back out on the water.  Jenna's older sister followed CPS to the camper.  They made sure the air conditioning was working and left.  Jenna's sister states about 20 minutes after CPS left, the air stopped working.  She text her aunt and told her.  Instead of coming off the water, they stayed out and continued to drink.  They told Jenna's sister to go into a pole barn and find the breaker switch.  She tried this, but she had to carry Jenna with her and the barn was pitch black inside.  After no success, she found a tub of water to cool Jenna's body temperature.  I am so thankful Jenna's siblings were so responsible and cared so much for her during these difficult times.  Again, the parents did well for a short time and Jenna was placed back with them on November 28, 2012.  In March 2013, CPS was going to close out the case.  Then on March 15, 2013, the mother pushed Jenna in the stroller down to the store where she purchased a bottle of Captain Morgan.  She continued drinking into the day and evening on March 16, 2013 - when two different people called CPS to tell them what was happening.  On March 18, 2013, Jenna was again placed with her aunt and uncle.  On March 19, 2013, the biological mother was again hospitalized for excessive drinking.  On March 21, 2013 Jenna's father advised CPS he would "not choose between the mother and child because he loved them both."  On March 26, 2013, Jenna's biological mother was again intoxicated and was making suicidal threats.  On March 27, 2013, CPS filed another petition with the court seeking to remove Jenna from the home and place her in a safe environment.  The Judge in the case DENIED the request (this is what CPS is up against).  He sent Jenna back to that awful home where she continued to experience domestic violence, substance abuse, and severe neglect.  The Court put a "safety plan" in place that the mother would not be alone with Jenna.  A daycare provider was hired to be in the home.  Then on April 23, 2013, another Judge signed an order appointing a guardian for the mother.  The court found by clear and convincing evidence that the mother was totally without capacity to care for herself due to chronic intoxication.  Yet, the Court left an infant in this person's care!  On June 12, 2013, the court closed the monitoring of the abuse/neglect case involving Jenna.  This left Jenna in a home with these parents without any type of oversight.  This is a complete failure of the Judical system which, again, meant more trauma for Jenna.  Right after the court closed the case, the mother fired the daycare provider and was left alone with Jenna.  It didn't take long for more abuse and neglect to happen.  

On July 16, 2013, the foster care worker received a text message from a concerned family member that the mother was drinking again.  The parents were fighting and the mother trashed the car with Jenna in it and threw alcohol all over the father.  At one point, the mother text the old CPS worker and said "you need to come remove my kid, I can't take care of her."  On July 18, 2013, CPS made contact with the parents and Jenna.  Jenna had just had her 2nd birthday.  Yes, she had been through all of this in just two short years!  The father announced to CPS that they were not taking Jenna and that if they did "I will have a beer in my hand" as soon as she's taken away.  Jenna was left in the care of her parents.  The next day, July 19, 2013 - the mother was again drinking.  The father was driving the car with little Jenna in the back.  The two were fighting and he called the mother a "drunk" which sent her into an irate state.  She began throwing items and hitting the father.  He pulled over to the side of the road and got out to "pretend" to go up to someone's house and call the police.  The mother got out of the car and began walking down the road.  Jenna sat in her carseat all alone on the side of the road.  Later in the day, Jenna was taken back to her aunt and uncle.  However, they indicated to CPS that they didn't want to keep her.    Around this same time, Nikki was contacted by a family member and asked about how this back and forth could keep happening to Jenna.  This was the first time Nikki became aware of the problems.  Although Nikki and Jenna’s birth mom are first cousins and both my granddaughters– they come from opposite ends of the spectrum and have led very different lifestyles and had not had contact for years.  Nikki had never met Jenna, nor was she aware this was going on. 

For those of you that know Nikki personally – you know: she is a STRONG advocate for children!  Nikki holds a Master’s in Social Work with an emphasis in childhood abuse, neglect, and trauma.  Nikki worked for Children’s Protective Services (in a different county) at the time this was happening to Jenna and was a licensed foster parent.  Nikki is very experienced with children from the foster care system and has fostered dozens of children over the years.  When she found out this was happening, she called Michigan’s Centralized Intake Hotline and requested to be put into contact with Jenna’s CPS worker.  A week later, Jenna was moved to the Cole home.  

According to Nikki (Jenna’s adoptive mom), she will never forget that day.  Jenna came through the door with a dirty blanket, a dirty diaper, and a bottle in her mouth.  Yes, she was still in a diaper and on a bottle of milk at 2 years old.  Nikki quickly learned the truama that Jenna had been through.  There were times when Jenna  was with her birth parents and was found by CPS completely unattended and likely many more times when CPS wasn't around.  Clearly, Jenna’s needs were not being met.  Jenna  was hit as an infant when she would go potty in her diaper. Jenna has two older (biological) sisters (same mom, but different dad): Shaina and Sabrina Timmer.  They have been raised by their dad who has done a fine job!  Shaina and Sabrina have stood by Jenna's side through all of this.  Girls, as teenagers you have been burdened with way more than any child should have to go through.  I know it has been difficult for you two and I know you have experience similar traumas, but want to thank you for the role you played in getting Jenna out of the biological home and for standing by her side!  She is lucky to have you as her sisters! 

Jenna also has a biological half brother (same dad, different mom's).  Caleb, you were only 12 years old, but you took care of Jenna by changing her diapers and feeding her.  You took care of her while her parents were passed out drunk.  You shielded her from the fighting and protected her to the best of your ability!  That is a big charge for a 12 year old - Thank you for everything you did for Jenna. 



 Since the day Jenna was brought to Nikki– the fight has continued.  

It took a lot of time, resources, money, and advocacy – but the parental rights of Jenna’s birth parents were eventually terminated and Jenna was adopted by Nikki.  Since coming into the Cole home, Nikki has done everything in her power to make sure Jenna has the services and supports in place to be successful.  Jenna has been assessed by numerous doctors, nurses, and specialists.  She has undergone neuropsychological testing, dieticians, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, and behavioral therapy.  Jenna is followed by a team of medical and mental health providers: endocrinology, cardiology, ENT, genetics, and now they are talking about adding infectious disease specialist to the list…. I’m sure there have been more that aren’t mentioned.   

As a result of all of these medical appointments and the testing that have been done, we know the following:  Jenna has been diagnosed with fetal alcohol exposure (from birth mom drinking while she was pregnant), trauma of early childhood, failure to thrive and grow (her bone age test showed Jenna’s bones were 8 months underdeveloped at age 2 when Nikki got her.  This was due to the severe neglect, lack of food, etc. in the birth home), history of foster care, history of physical neglect, history of improper supervision, struggles with blood sugar, sensitivity to loud sounds, behavioral issues, problems with emotional regulation and development, speech and language issues, and exposure to substance abuse, among many other things.  Nikki believes this is all related to the Fetal Alcohol Exposure and the early childhood neglect.  

Jenna is currently 5 ½ years old and only weighs 35 pounds.  She has a severely compromised immune system and continues to experience frequent illnesses.  This past week, Jenna became very ill.  She was sent to the hospital for a CT scan and is being tested for a wide range of things, to include mumps.  She is vaccinated, but due to her history, it is possible that this will be the diagnosis.  The Kent County Health Department and the State have become involved and the testing has been authorized and is being carried out.  



While all of this has been going on with Jenna – Nikki’s other daughter, Makenzie (age 11) has also become very sick with an unknown cause.  Makenzie has been being homebound schooled since early November due to illness.  MaKenzie is Nikki’s “miracle baby” – the child she had after being told she likely would never be able to have a child of her own.  MaKenzie has been by Jenna’s side through the fight and is an absolutely fantastic big sister.  Now they share the fight together. 



Professionally, Nikki has remained in a role through the UAW where she advocates for those involved in the child welfare system in Michigan.  It’s broken and she works very hard to try to improve it at the highest levels of state and federal government, at the legislative level, and remains a strong advocate for frontline child welfare workers across the State of Michigan.  Nikki brings passion, intelligence, and a drive that not many people possess – she doesn’t take “no” for an answer when it comes to protecting and advocating for Michigan’s vulnerable children and for the workers and foster parents who protect these children and play such an important role.  This has brought its own fight!  

Nikki has been doing all she can do for her girls.  Clearly, it isn’t free or cheap when medical needs are to this high of a degree.  Jenna may need to go to the Mayo Clinic or larger medical facility.  The team at DeVos has been great, but we still don’t have answers.  Nikki has exhausted all assets and her 401K to pay the medical bills for the girls.  She is at the point where she is being forced to pick: pay the medical team; legal team; mortgage; pick between paying medical bills or making Makenzie’s dream of going to Costa Rica (with her school and if she’s healthy) come true; or paying the medical team.  This has been extremely stressful for Nikki; as all of these are needs of the children and to have to pick is impossible.  Nikki is a fairly private person and isn’t someone that will ask for help.  She takes pride in being able to do it all, but is at that point where she does need help.  I have been praying for the Cole family and asking God to provide Nikki and the girls with what they need!  For those who don’t know me, I am Nikki’s grandma.  I am 87 years old and I don’t know a lot about technology.  A friend suggested I look into a GoFundMe page and so I took the idea to Nikki.  She told me she doesn’t understand why this is all happening at once; but tearfully gave me her blessing to post this.  

I don’t think there is a good answer to her question as to why so many hard things are happening/have been happening to such a great family.  Sickness, trouble, and problems: sometimes they happen to drive people closer to each other; sometimes they happen to keep you humble; sometimes they happen to make you pray; sometimes they happen to keep you close to the Lord.  The Cole Family’s fight has done all of these things.  Given that this family has done so much for our community – it is now our turn to show them sometimes these things happen to bring a community together; to show support for one another; and to pay it forward.  Please join me in making a contribution to help Jenna, Makenzie, and Nikki.  

 Some photos of better days! 
 Jenna coming home after surgery - straight into Makenzie's arms! 
Jenna with Shaina and Sabrina!  Jenna inspires to be a doctor - not surprising since she's grown up surrounded by them! 
Sisterly Love! 



Some pictures of the tough times and unfortunatley, frequent times! 





"Mommy I'm being brave!" 


A photo of the Cole Family! 



Your donation will help Nikki to continue to get the children all of the services they need!  The situation for Jenna has become urgent and the family needs answers and solutions!  

Please make a donation today.  Any contribution, big or small, will help!  You can also help by sharing this link and encouraging others to do the same! 

MARCH 12, 2017 UPDATE:

I haven't posted an update in a while because we have been waiting for some important appointments which took place over the last two weeks. One of the appointments was for Jenna to have an MRI of the head. When the results came back, we learned the devastating news that Jenna has 10 lesions on the brain. At this point, the doctors aren't able to tell us what this means for her future. She will need to see neurology before we will have more answers. In addition to the 10 lesions on the brain, there are areas of deep white matter shown - again, we do not know what this means; other than it is not normal to see on an MRI for a five year old. The MRI also showed the parotid gland in Jenna's cheek which has had recurrent infection now has "innumerable" small cysts. At the time of the MRI, she was on day 9 of 10 of antibiotics for recurring bilateral ear infections. The imaging shows she still has fluid in the middle ear on both sides; as well as infection in the bone behind the ear and near her sinuses. Jenna has undergone approximately five blood draws over the last couple of weeks - some which had to be sent out to the Mayo Clinic and won't be back for a few weeks. She is being tested for various diseases and has a great team of doctors at the University of Michigan. Jenna remains in good spirits and we are hoping and praying for health and healing for her!

As for Makenzie, she is also in good spirits. In February she was officially diagnosed with Hashimoto's Disease and will require ongoing evaluation and monitoring. Once her lab levels start showing a need; she will begin life time medication.

Please continue to share this post and pray for the girls. The updated picture is of Jenna just prior to going in for her MRI. She was so brave!

The following information is being added at the request of the go fund me team:

1. Who you are and relationship to person funds are being raised for: account was created by Crystal Krause, grandmother of Nikki Cole and great grandmother of Makenzie and Jenna. Account "manager" responsibilities were transferred to Nikki Cole so she can update the site.

2. Where you're from:
Lake County, Michigan

3. How the funds will be spent and how you intend to get the funds to those in need: medical expense first and foremost for Jenna and Makenzie; then any additional funds (if goal is exceeded) to pay legal expenses for Jenna, Makenzie, and Nikki as described above. Nikki is the only person able to access the funds via direct withdraw from the campaign.

Organizer

Nikki Grindle
Organizer
Sparta, MI

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