MILTON, WV (WOWK) – A 3-month-old at the center of a fatal child abuse investigation is being remembered as a loving, sweet baby boy.
“We were heartbroken for ourselves. We were heartbroken for his mother. We were heartbroken for his brother,” said LauraBeth Meade, Director of Ridge Kids Academy on Collis Ave. in Huntington. “We were angry because of the circumstances behind it and everything leading up to it, questioning the what ifs and whys and all of the things.”
Evander Meadows died at a hospital on Friday, May 24, from head trauma, according to the Milton Police Department. First responders were called to an apartment complex the day before when he was found unresponsive.
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At the time he was in the care of his father and his father’s girlfriend, both were charged in connection to the incident.
“There was evidence that there was head trauma, which caused the loss of brain activity which ultimately caused his death,” said Wynston Lloyd, Milton K-9 patrolman first class. “Bruising around his neck that appeared to be choking.”
Evander’s mother, Brianna Meadows, works at the childcare center with Meade. When he was taken to the hospital, Meade said they rallied around the mother and her 2-year-old son Atlas.
“It’s not just a child moving away like oh maybe I’ll see a photo on Facebook in a couple of years,” Meade said, “It’s a no more, and it’s devastating.”
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Atlas was best friends with his younger brother. According to Meade, whenever he saw his brother, he would light up.
“I don’t think it’s quite settled in yet, with him being two, that Evander’s not coming back and that he doesn’t have that buddy anymore,” Meade said.
Meade said they plan to turn Evander’s cubby into a memorial with an engraving of his name. Inside they plan to place a homemade bear made from his clothes and a blanket that his teacher gifted him.
A GoFundMe has also been set up to assist the family. If you’d like to donate, a link is available here.