Toddler starves to death after mother dies

I agree with the poster above. I cannot get this story out of my head today and the sad part of it all is that there is nothing to be done- if the boy was found a day or so earlier, who knows- there would at least be hope. I am so very saddened by this.

I thought about this all last night and was haunted by it. Poor little guy! It’s hard to believe that no one heard his cries and came to check on him. It is also very sad that he had family locally that never checked in.

This sweet little boy must have died of dehydration, I can’t imagine a tot can starve to death in a few days, but dehydrate to death I can believe. Either way, it’s a horrible, awful thing to happen to a little innocent baby.

Like many here, I have not been able to get this story off my mind, and I keep thinking of how that poor little guy spent his last days.
Mostlly because I have a 22-month-old son who was born in March, like little Zeke.
I wonder if they shared a birthday–and that makes me even sadder.
Last night I looked in on him while he was asleep and I just cried.
I also cannot imagine the heartache and depression the police, crime scene investigators and others involved in this case feel.

I’m a grandma with a blond haired little grandson who will be 2 in March, I was reading all the other horrible stories of parents kinnking their children in our nation and then I seen this one. Picturing this baby toddling through the house trying to find food and water at Christmas none the less. Probably thinking his mommy would come to him any minute. The other stories didn’t make me cry, but when I read this I felt weak,sick and hopeless. I couldn’t help but cry out loud. That was yesterday, I worked today, but now I’m crying again. This is horrific. How much did this little guy suffer? Food and water all around, this is America, but not for this little boy. why can’t I just go there and pick him up, give him some food and water. He didn’t need much, but he did need that little bit. a little bowl of cereal, a cup of water. Oh God. Help me to stop crying. Please show me that he didn’t suffer much. Let me know that when he cried himself to sleep that his mommy was there waiting for him and that you let her come to him much earlier than expected. dear little angel

I knew Janelle 14 years ago, I worked with her at the ribrack restaurant. Janelle lived with me for about 8 months. Although Janelle was troubled with some things in her life, she was a very giving person. I lost contact with her when she moved out of my house, peoples lives and interest change. I wish the family all my support in such a difficult time. What a beautiful baby Zeke was. He had his mothers infectious smile, and I am sure her laugh as well. The world will miss them!

This story haunts me and I keep looking for a different ending. I keep seeing him in my mind and I can’t help him. God, help me.

We hurt right along side all of you and it seems that everyone except Fred Phelps and the Westboro Baptist Church feel that way.
Those freaks from Kansas that are normally protesting our fallen soldiers funerals showed to to protest our memorial as well. They were seen holding signs that read, “God hates your Children” and other off the wall comments.

Mike,

I am so sorry for your loss. I am horrified that Fred Phelps was anywhere near that angel baby.

Thank you so much for posting. Please know, all the commenters only have that beautiful baby in our hearts and yours is a story that we appreciate and respect. Thank you.

Cathy,

I hope my comments help to ease your mind.

We found the following words taped to Janelle’s refrigerator and I used them in my eulogy at the memorial. I would also like to share with you. I believe this to be a quote from Mark Twain, I may be wrong about that.

“Sing like no one’s listening, love like you’ve never been hurt, dance like nobody’s watching, and live like its heaven on earth.”

I am so glad I found this site tonight. For days now, ever since I read about this little boy I haven’t been able to get it out of my head. I keep picturing him trying to wake his mother up and then searching for food. My 15 month old son had ‘hand, foot and mouth’ sickness last week and he cried so much and really loud and all I could think of was, this must be what it sounded like.

Today I was getting to the point were I thought I might need to seek professional help to stop thinking about this so much. But then I found this site and for some reason knowing that other people are feeling the same way I have been made me feel somewhat relieved.

I think maybe I thought if I wasn’t always thinking, morning about this little boy maybe no one else would be and someone needs to remember him. God I can hardly type this without tearing up and I’m not the type to cry.

I’ve wished everyday since I read about this that there would be some way for me to go back and save him.

I wish I could forget and I wish I never read about it. Never has something I read in the news effected my life this way.

I don’t know if you still check this site Mike so I don’t know if you will even read this. I was an old friend of Janelle’s, Cindy’s, Aaron’s and Boo’s and when I first heard about this I was completely beside myself, as was my sister who was also friends with Janelle Aaron and Boo. I so wish I had been able to keep in touch with Janelle over the years, but am very sad to say that we lost touch a few years after Earnie was born. He was still a baby the last time I saw Janelle, she had brought him over to my house for a visit. I attended the service for Janelle and Zeke and wanted so much to share my memories of her when asked, but the tears and the overwhelming grief I was feeling kept me from doing so, I knew I would go up there and do nothing more than cry and not be able to say the things I wanted to say. The Janelle I remember had this really sweet soft spoken voice, a very gentle voice! She had the biggest heart and the sweetest soul! When I saw her with Earnie she was always so sweet and gentle with him, just the perfect little mother. I was saddened to hear she had gotten into drugs after Earnie, but was happy to hear she was turning her life around. If anyone could overcome it, it was Janelle! She also always had a smile to share and a laugh that would always make me laugh, she always seemed so happy with life!
I still cry when I think about her being gone and when I think of little Zeke, it breaks my heart still! I wish I had been able to be there for her more!
Your entire family are in my prayers! May you find some sort of comfort knowing that Janelle and Zeke are together in Heaven with your wonderful mom, whom I loved dearly!

When God calls little children
to dwell with Him above,
We mortals sometimes question
the wisdom of His love.
Perhaps God tires of calling
the aged to His fold,
so he picks a rosebud,
before it can grow old.
God knows how much we need them,
and so He takes but few,
to make the land of Heaven,
more beautiful to vew.
Believing this is difficult,
still somehow we must try,
The saddest word mankind knows will always be “goodbye”.
So when a child departs,
we who are left behind,
must realize God loves children,
Angels are hard to find.