A young man is alive today and able to enjoy Christmas because some people were concerned enough about him 3 ½ years to speak up and notify authorities.
It was in July of 2018 that some people notified the authorities that this young teenager appeared to be malnourished and that something was definitely wrong.
After law enforcement authorities found him nearly starved to death, he was rushed to Children’s Hospital in Oklahoma City. Doctors there told them in another week the youth most likely would have died.
The youth, who was identified only as JJ, remained in the hospital for around two months.
His dad and step-mom are serving prison sentences today. His father, Jimmy Lee Jones, Sr., who at the time authorities discovered him, was working at a Correctional facility in Cushing.
A jury convicted him in June of this year of child neglect. Following the recommendation of the jury, District Judge Cindy Ashwood sentenced him to six years behind bars.
In October, a jury also convicted his step-mom of child neglect. On Nov. 30, Judge Ashwood again followed the jury’s recommended punishment and sent Amy Adkins Jones off to prison for eight years.
Child neglect is considered an 85 percent crime meaning the pair must service 85 percent of his and her sentence.
Two older brothers also were charged in the case. One is scheduled for trial early in 2022. The other’s case was dismissed.
Truly, it’s people who cared enough about JJ who should be credited with helping save his life. It’s because they had the gumption to stand up and notify authorities that something was terribly wrong in this kid’s life.
We were told by someone who had taught this young teen, before he was jerked out of school by his parents, of her concern for him and the concern others at the school had shown for JJ.
She and others first contacted DHS in March of 2016 because of their concern for JJ. They had purchased shoes and a coat for the teen because he had no winter coat and no soles for his shoes. She mentioned he’d been hoarding food in his backpack from the school cafeteria.
Citizens do not have to cooperate with DHS if they so choose. There is no legal requirement to do so.
But, if law enforcement officers conduct a child welfare check, and believe a child is in immediate danger or suffering from abuse, they can legally and immediately place that child into protective custody.
The teen hadn’t been allowed to leave the property for two years, he was only allowed in the house to use the bathroom, had several broken bones and doctors dug shotgun pellets out of a leg. The dad reportedly had shot the kid with bird shot some time in the past.
If there was a kid who could not defend himself, it was JJ.
Maybe JJ’s case will serve as a stark reminder that it’s any of us who can help prevent child abuse or any other type of abuse by being more aware of our surroundings. We must be willing to step up and notify those who can do something about it.
JJ most likely would not be alive today if those who cared enough about him hadn’t stepped up and alerted authorities.