Six-month-old fights for his life, mom wants justice
URBANA, ILL. (WCCU) — A Tolono baby showing signs of improvement after his caregiver allegedly shook and threw him last Friday.
Six-month-old, Lailan, was rushed to Carle Foundation Hospital and diagnosed with shaken baby syndrome.
Lailan was placed in a medically induced coma for six days.
Lailan’s mom, Jessica Adams, said on Thursday her son opened his eyes for the first time.
“He is my little warrior,” Adams said. “This little boy has been through so much."
The morning started like any other, Lailan's mom snapping pictures of him before dropping him off at the sitter's house.
Adams said the sitter, Michele Reed, had been their regular babysitter for three months.
"I got a call from Michelle saying that he had fallen off the couch and he wasn't breathing" "My initial reaction to the injury was I didn't believe it, I thought he really had just fallen off the couch."
On Tuesday, Michele Reed was arrested. Tolono Police accused Reed of shaking Lailan and then throwing him down.
Hours later, doctors would diagnose Lailan with shaken baby syndrome. Lailan suffered from a brain bleed and seizures.
Now, Lailan's mom wants justice.
"Anyone who has the audacity to or the character to hurt a childneeds to be locked up," Adams said.
She said her son’s injuries may change his life forever.
But she won’t lose hope.
"He's breathing and moving and smiling and doing what a normal baby should be doing,” Adams said. “He is my warrior and he'll prove everyone wrong," Adams said.
The accused caregiver, Michele Reed, is charged with a single count of aggravated battery of a child.
If convicted, Reed could face up to 30 years in prison.
A GoFundMe account has been set up to support Lailan’s family and assist with medical expenses.
