I just had to post some updated pictures of my adorable nephew Holdyn.
Holdyn came to live with Miles and I for a while recently. I was named his legal guardian after he came home to Joshua's place after a weekend visit at his mother's and Holdyn was covered head to toe in bruises. The baby had been beaten to a pulp and of course Joshua had to report it to the police immediately....knowing full well that meant he would become a suspect and that Holdyn would be taken away. Did you know that 95% of those who report a child's abuse are the actual abusers themselves? I had no idea. Well, of course Joshua did not touch his baby in this way as Holdyn arrived with all these bruises. We took lots of pictures. I was there after he called the Sheriff who drove over immediately. The Sheriff surveyed the situation and put Joshua's heart at ease that he believed Joshua's story and would do whatever he could to keep the baby with me (family), but since Joshua is not on the birth certificate he is legally not related to this child. Holdyn has been in Joshua's care over 90% of his little life. Joshua is the father..no doubt in any one's mind..but legally he has no rights.
The Sheriff gave us a police escort to the ER where we remained from that evening until morning. Thankfully after every test imaginable done to poor tired, restless baby, and a very rough night of stress and a whirlwind of emotions both Josh and I we were relieved to report the ominous dark purple bruises had left no long term injuries. However, Holdyn was placed under "protective custody" and placed temporarily in my care. That morning, I took him home from the ER to live with me until things could get sorted out. His safety was my number one priority. Now a criminal case Social workers, court dates, more examinations, and photographs galore, Holdyn was with me 24/7. I took the week off work...he was my baby nephew and although stressful and a whirlwind of emotions i was so happy to have him in my care. I had him one week and needed to go back to work. Thankfully my mom was in town after a vacation with dad in Victoria BC and she stayed with us another week so I could go back to work. My work has been so gracious with me allowing me to take additional emergency leave without having any vacation or sick time accrued to cover the time loss. I am so thankful. I am also so thankful my Mom was here. It was wonderful having her around. I could finally breathe easier and sleep at night as I was so worried and stressed out as to Holdyn's future and well-being. it was all so sudden and crazy it still makes me tear to think of how bad off he looked in the ER that first night. ..and yet despite it all his little smiles just melted my heart and i remembered God's hand in all of this. The following Thursday was awful. My mom had to go home and as i had to go back to work having missed so much with my recovery the short weeks ago, I had to have him replaced with Foster Care. Holdyn and I both cried the entire way down town Bellingham to Child Services . It was awful.....but i knew it was the only option for us at this point.
The night before my Mom and I documented counted LOTS of ways (confirmations) of God's hand throughout this entire ordeal. Holdyn is God's child and no matter what happens I have to remind myself of that...that Holdyn is HIS and God takes care of HIS children. I don't have to like the circumstances, but He is God's and I can trust he is in the BEST hands of all.
