A Lubbock family is grieving this week after their toddler, Jayden, died under suspicious circumstances while visiting his dad in Fort Worth.
“He was funny, he was loving, he was always smiling and happy,” said Jayden’s aunt, Juana Zavala. “It’s quiet without him around.” Jayden’s mom asked Juana to do the interview instead of her during this difficult time.
The toddler died Tuesday, and his death is being investigated by the Crimes Against Children Unit at the Fort Worth Police Department. Police said the child’s father is a suspect in the case, but no one has been charged with a crime.
The family has not had the chance to even see Jayden’s body yet because the body is still in Fort Worth where his autopsy was done. It is too expensive for them to handle on their own, and they are asking for Lubbock’s help.
“To come back with the funeral and everything together, is $3,000,” said Zavala.
It’s $3,000 the family doesn’t have, which has led them to ask for the community’s help in donations to bring baby Jayden home.
“It would be to put him at peace and put him at peace correctly, so he doesn’t have to suffer anymore,” said Zavala. “We want to get him buried the way he is supposed to get buried and reach Heaven the way he is supposed to reach Heaven.”
The family is rallying behind Jayden’s mother, but thinking of saying goodbye to Jayden is almost too much to bear.
“No mom deserves to go through something like this,” Zavala said. “I want them to know he was loving and had a big heart, and this family loved him like their own. Everyone loved him.”
Any donations for the funeral can be dropped off at Chapel Grace Funeral Home on 34th Street.