Help Support Caden

On October 27, 2014, Caden was rushed to the emergency room by his babysitter, Mary Ann Garrett. She said that her 2 year old grand-daughter sprayed Caden with hot water with a detachable shower head. Caden's burns were so severe, that he was quickly rushed via ambulance to the burn center in Wichita. We later learned he had deep 2nd and 3rd degree burns on 30% of his body. His pain was excruciating! He was given morphine every 4 hours, alternating with other narcotic pain meds. When he wasn't knocked out from all the meds, he was crying and moaning. His pain was so unbearable during his daily bandage changes, that an anesthesiologist would come to his room and put him completely under. He wouldn't eat and needed extra nutrition for his skin to heal, so he had to have a feeding tube. He had the feeding tube in for nearly a month. He also developed an infection that spiked his fever to 104° at times, which added to his discomfort. 

During this time, Mary Ann maintained her story, however, most of the medical staff didn't buy it, stating Caden's burns were not consistent with her story. The lead detective on the case met with the medical staff and interviewed Mary Ann, and her 2 year old grand-daughter, whom she claimed had sprayed Caden. Over the course of 2 months, the detective was diligent in his investigation, and was able to get her to confess, after she took a polygraph test. She confessed that she sprayed Caden with hot water after he had a dirty diaper. When she saw had badly he was burned, she had her 2 yr old grand-daughter spray him again, so when the girl was questioned, she would say she sprayed him, which is exactly what happened. The little girl told the detective she sprayed Caden. Mary Ann was arrested right after the polygraph test and interrogation. She was charged with felony child abuse and interfering with an investigation. 

Caden was in the burn center for over a month. We are so very thankful to have him home the day after Thanksgiving. He is doing well at home. His mom does physical therapy with him daily. He is still on pain meds and a dressing nurse comes to the house every other day to change his bandages. This continues to be a rather traumatic experience for him, but he is getting better every day. He has started walking again without assistance. His legs are bandaged down to his feet, so that along with the pain of his skin stretching and pulling, makes it difficult to walk. We lovingly call it his Forrest Gump walk. We are also very thankful that he didn't have to have skin grafts! He will have permanent scarring though.

Caden's mother is a hard working single mom, raising him without any assistance. She hasn't been with her job long enough to qualify for FMLA, so she was forced to take an unpaid leave of absence for nearly 2 months. She does have health insurance, however, Caden's medical bills are astronomical. We have set up this fundraiser to help with all her expenses during this time. She has now returned to work. It was very hard for her to leave him, but she simply couldn't afford to stay home any longer. Caden is now being cared for by a close family friend of the family and is very happy and SAFE there! 

We want to thank each and everyone of you for all the prayers, kind words and loving support!