Here is what I know.
This is a mother who loves her son.
In the first photograph police sent us to try and identify him, she’s holding his hand.
Diana Elliot lead 14 year old Sheldon in to the hospital and she left him there.
It was after midnight and police say he was confused and malnourished.
He must have been terrified.
Police asked us to post his picture to try and identify him.
He’s nonverbal and was not able to communicate.
When I got that email from police, my heart shattered.
One of his teachers saw the post and called police.
She told me Sheldon is an absolute sweetheart.
Police were able to track his mom down pretty quickly after that.
She was living in a hotel room, supporting 4 children by herself.
She was completely overwhelmed and did not know how she could continue to care for Sheldon.
So she took him someplace that would know how.
She took him to a hospital where it is warm, and he would be fed, and the doctors would know how to care for him.
I do not know her struggles or circumstances that lead her to this point.
But I do know that she loves her son.
In pictures she posted of her children, he’s always included.
When their family dressed up like the ninja turtles, she made him Michelangelo.
Everyone knows he’s the best turtle.
In a picture I found of him when he was a baby, she gently cradles his face.
“My son,” she said. “This is Sheldon”.
In the hours since I posted his first picture, it’s clear how many other people care about this young man, too.
I have received messages asking his clothing and shoe sizes. People have contacted me wanting to sponsor all of his Christmas presents.
And people want to care for him.
They have asked to be his foster parent.
They have asked how they can adopt him.
“My heart and my home are open. I have so much love to give this young man.”
I am sure his mother loves him too.
She just may not know how to help him.
Along with the messages of support, I have seen messages of rage.
People who are so frustrated with a broken system that does not help the children who need it the most.
People who are furious that instead of getting supportive services, this mother got a court date.
She was arrested and charged with 1st degree child cruelty.
She’s seeing a judge tomorrow at 11am.
I plan to be there.
I don’t know what the answer to this is, but I am listening.
I am reading these messages and trying to learn.
Most of all, I am sending my love to Sheldon, who will never know the amount of support he has in this world.
But I hope he knows his mother loves him.
Kaitlyn Ross. 436,784 likes · 96,701 talking about this. Reporter sharing good news and behind the scenes hijinx I'm glad you're here ❤️
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