Jared Patton is dead at 3-years-old

[Dakota Valkyrie]

They called him a gladiator — locked in the fight of his life. For his life.

A battle to breathe in. To breathe out.
[...]

On Friday, worn out with the effort, Jared Patton finally lost that battle.

He died in the arms of his doting grandmother, his "Nina," Kathy Stowe.

He was 3 years old.
[...]

"It's one of the things we prayed for the hardest — 'Don't let it be in an emergency situation where they were sticking needles in him and his being afraid.' So it was just as it should be. The person that cared for him 24 hours a day — that's where he was. He loved his Nina."

To say it was reciprocal is understatement. From the moment his grandparents took him in as an infant, Jared became the axis of their lives. Born healthy, Jared was violently shaken by his father, his brain battering against his skull till portions of it died off.

He was then 6 weeks old.

That's when his battle began. Against devastating brain trauma rendering him so disabled he would never walk, talk or grasp a toy. Against cerebral palsy, scoliosis, partial blindness and severe sleep disorder. Consigned to a crib, stomach tubes, trachea tubes and loving arms that tended him 'round the clock for as long as he needed them.
[...]

Today, the Stowes plan to meet with the Williamsburg- James City County Commonwealth's Attorney's office about filing additional charges against Jared's father.

David Curtis Patton had earlier been convicted of abusing Jared and is serving five years.
[...]

Sandy Conyers, the Williamsburg-James City prosecutor who handled David Patton's case in 2007, said further charges would be considered now that Patton's son, Jared, has died.
[...]

Conyers said the commonwealth's attorney's office is awaiting a medical examiner's report on Jared's death.

"We haven't received anything yet regarding the cause of death," Conyers said Tuesday. "Any further charges will depend on the cause of death."

http://www.dailypress.com/news/dp-lo...5393408.column

[ScribbleMuse]

Very well written article. The writer really put the truth into SBS in ways that everyone will understand. While I agree that emotion should not be the basis of the law, it needs to be considered in order to determine what is law and not, since law is basically the upholding of accepted mores and "rights." In this way, everyone reading the article will be well aware that this action is more than the usual frustration of a parent, but something that took strength, time, and has an aftermath that is simple devastation.

[peoplesuck]

So sad. RIP Jared.

I'm so glad to know that he had his Nina-bless her soul.

[paranoiaqueen]

Fucking heartbreaking. Rest in heaven little Jared.

[ImmortalOne]

What happened to Mommy Dearest? Another loser or what?

[everhopeful]

Poor baby... this is so terrible, and yet I am so glad for him that at the end, he knew the love of a family unit.

[AussieMum]

Quite honestly this is just heartbreaking.

Heart felt condolenses for the grandparents.

Rest easy sweet darling.

[Christi]

This is why nobody is to lay a hand on my children. They think that being forced to write sentences over and over is a horrendous punishment. Heartbreaking.

[MadeaBecBec]

Jared Patton was the second son born to Nicole and David Patton, he was born after they seperated. Jared was shaken during a weekend visitation with David. Nicole (Mom) had a toddler to raise, the time and skills to care for Jared took 24 hours, time that Nicole probably didn't have or could afford, without neglecting Jacob, the firstborn. I am glad and believe it was the correct decision to allow "Nina" to be Jareds caregiver, instead of an institution, it was for the best.
Run, Jump and Play, Jared Patton, Heaven is more precious, now!

A painting of "Nina" and Jared, Jared holding hands with "Nina"

[Silvahalo]

That's when his battle began. Against devastating brain trauma rendering him so disabled he would never walk, talk or grasp a toy. Against cerebral palsy, scoliosis, partial blindness and severe sleep disorder. Consigned to a crib, stomach tubes, trachea tubes loving arms that tended him 'round the clock for as long as he needed them.

I am so very glad this is how things went for baby Jared after his lasting injuries. That his life was stolen was terrible enough, but at least, until his last breath he was loved and at the end peaceful. So many children don't get this kind of treatment. Their lives are taken from them. Every hope, every possibility gone. They go on to live but that is not really life, simply existing. The first child I saw this way, when I did volunteer work with children of abuse, took my breath away. What must be taken into account is the utter devastation, the entire life span that is lost when ruling on such cases. 5 yrs is nothing at all. Who knows what may have come of baby Jared. We will never know.

Precious Jared, you were the light of life. A moment changed your life, now be whole and content in the heavens, an eternity.