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No ID for child's body found in Wylie park

by CRAIG CIVALE / WFAA-TV

Posted on April 15, 2010 at 12:20 PM

Updated yesterday at 9:17 PM
Related:

    * Police release computer-generated photo of boy found in Wylie
    * Man who found boy's body talks about the 'sad' discovery

Gallery

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Child's body found
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WYLIE — The body of a small boy was found early Thursday morning in a Wylie park near Lake Lavon.

Wylie police began their investigation after a maintenance worker at East Fork Park made the discovery shortly after 9 a.m. in the 1900 block of Skyview Drive.

On Thursday evening, Wylie police could only say that the body appeared to be a three-year-old white boy. His identity remained a mystery and no cause of death released.

The maintenance worker who found the child said he was told by police not to discuss the case.

News 8 has learned that police contacted local child care centers during the day to inquire about any children who might be unaccounted for.

The While ISD has not been involved in the investigation.

The results of an autopsy conducted Thursday afternoon have not been made public.

E-mail ccivale@wfaa.com

 http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/Childs-body-found-in-Wylie-park-90952814.html  (http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/Childs-body-found-in-Wylie-park-90952814.html)

http://www.myfoxdfw.com/dpp/news/041610-New-Details-about-Dead-Child-Released (http://www.myfoxdfw.com/dpp/news/041610-New-Details-about-Dead-Child-Released)

New Details about Dead Child Released

Updated: Friday, 16 Apr 2010, 9:24 PM CDT
Published : Friday, 16 Apr 2010, 11:53 AM CDT

By Kevin Boie | MYFOXDFW.COM

DALLAS - A dead child found dumped in a rural area near Lavon Lake on Thursday had suffered severe medical problems while he was alive, police said.

According to investigators, the child, approximately 6 years old, is very small for his age. In fact, his tiny frame led investigators to initially believe he was about 3 years old.

The child is 39 inches tall and weighs about 28 pounds, they said. ::MonkeyWaa::

It was not clear exactly what medical issues the child had, but there is evidence that the he used a feeding tube to survive, according to investigators.

Police also issued a composite of the child, which they created by taking a photo of the deceased and digitally enhancing it to demonstrate how the boy would have looked while living.

This is the first time authorities in North Texas have publicly utilized such technology, they said.

Officials hope the unusual image will help them identify the child.

The boy's body was first discovered by groundskeepers at bout 9 a.m. Thursday.

It is not clear if child was clothed but it's possible that he was at least barefooted.

Autopsy results will reveal exactly how the child died and also shed light on the extent of his medical condition.

Edit to change subject line.  MB

http://www.woai.com/news/local/story/Body-of-boy-found-near-lake/HCPgUzfDq0CQuXC4QLD8hg.cspx
Body of boy found near lake
April 16, 2010

WYLIE, Texas (AP) — Wylie police are trying to identify the body of a preschool-age boy found in a grassy area near Lavon Lake.

A worker mowing around a pond discovered the body. Autopsy results were pending Friday.

Detective Venece Perepiczka says no missing child reports match information about the youngster. Investigators believe the boy, likely between the ages of 3 and 5, might have been a special needs child.

Perepiczka says the property where the body was found Thursday is owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Wylie is about 20 miles northeast of Dallas.

Edit to change subject line. MB

http://www.myfoxdfw.com/dpp/news/041510-Small-Body-Found-near-Lake-Lavon
(Video at above link)
Child's Body Found near Lake Lavon
April 16, 2010

DALLAS - A dead child was discovered at a North Texas park on Thursday morning.

Investigators located the boy's body in East Fork Park in the 1900 block of Skyview Drive near Lavon Lake in Wylie.
Officials said groundskeeper working with a crew discovered the boy, who is about 3 or 4 years old, shortly after 9 a.m. and notified police.

"They were working and they were weed eating, and mowing the area," park manager Drenda Burris said. "And he said that they saw little feet."   ::MonkeyTears::

At least nine investigators were at the site of the discovery. They had cordoned off a wooded area with police tape, placed several evidence markers about and barricaded the rural scene to prevent people from entering.

Medical examiners removed the toddler in order to perform an autopsy.

It was not clear how the boy died and his identity was not known.

FWIW,  this child is not missing.  I think it's an unsolved crime.   ::MonkeyNoNo::

 ::MonkeyNoNo::  we live in a horribly sick world  ::MonkeyNoNo::

I'm going to move this thread to "Unsolved Crimes".  As far as I can see this little boy is not reported missing anywhere I can find.  Even though his cause of death hasn't been released pending autopsy, just the fact his little body was dumped is a crime.   ::MonkeyNoNo::

http://www.wfaa.com/news/Wylie-residents-help-in-search--91285939.html
(video at above link)
Wylie volunteers publicize case of unidentified boy found in park
Posted April 17, 2010

DALLAS - From shopping centers to churches to neighborhoods - volunteers are searching for answers.

They handed out fliers on Saturday, hoping someone can identify a little boy's body.

He was found near a park in Wylie.

Volunteers handed out thousands of fliers and tips are already coming in.

The sketch of the boy is also being distributed around the country.

More than 40 people are working on the case this weekend.

Meanwhile, local families are touched by a boy, they never knew.

"I came back to put a bear out for him cause he's like Wylie's little angel," said one resident, Kathy Hanson.

So many keep visiting the site off of Skyview Drive in Wylie where someone did the unimaginable. A child with special needs was dumped in a pile of brush.

"I don't how someone could dump an innocent child, nobody's claimed him. It's sad. It's very sad," said Hanson.

"Why would you dispose of them like that, as if they were trash, that just really bothers me," said David Hughes.

Hughes is a father of two boys with rare genetic disorders. He says the anger and sadness he feels over the case are overwhelming.

"Since I have special needs kids, it really makes me sad. It's hard for me to imagine how anybody could do that to a child," he said.

"There are no excuses for that. It's heart-wrenching," he added.

It's the face without a name, driving volunteers from the Wylie Citizens Police Alumni Association to hit the streets, passing out fliers, trying to help detectives on the case.

"It's hard for me to believe that you have a child and it's unidentified at this point and there are no leads to it. It's kind of heartfelt at this point," said Brian Nuss.

This community promises to keep going until they get answers.

"We will figure who you are and it's a matter of time and the right person that knows that information," said Nuss.

"There are people out there who loved you, never knew you, but you know, one day, hopefully, we will get to see him and tell him that we love him," said Hughes.

http://www.wfaa.com/news/crime/Man-who-found-boys-body--91089234.html
Man who found boy's body talks about the 'sad' discovery
Posted April 16, 2010

WYLIE - The man whose employees found the body of a little boy in a Wylie park talked about the gruesome discovery Friday to WFAA.

Flowers, cards and teddy bears are now at the site where the body of the unidentified boy was found Thursday.

Gary Valentine said his workers were mowing in the area when they saw what looked like a human leg under a pile of brush. When Valentine arrived at the scene, he picked up what he thought was a small mannequin.

"I said a prayer and I knew I was at a crime scene, but I also knew I couldn't throw a child in a brush pile," he said. "So, I stepped across the fence, laid him down, looked back [and] saw a baby blanket [and] took it and covered up the baby and called 911."

Wylie police created a computer-generated photo and an artist sketch of the boy they believe is about six years. Authorities said the young boy was unusually small for his age.

 "[He was] approximately 39 inches tall and weighed about 28 pounds," said Det. Venece Perepiczka, Wylie Police Department. "It appears as if the child had significant medical needs. The child showed signs of being fed through a feeding tube."

Helene Auriemme brought her three-year-old son to site where the boy was found to place a teddy bear at the memorial for a child they never knew.

"It was just so sad," she said. "I have little kids, and just to find a little boy is so sad and we just wanted to bring him a present."

Valentine, a grandfather, said Thursday left him distraught and angry.

"It's sad that anyone could ever think of doing that to a child," he said.

Investigators believe his body was at the park about 24 hours before it was found.

The Collin County medical examiner performed an autopsy, but it did not reveal the cause of death. There were no obvious signs of trauma.   

MuffyBee, thank you for finding an appropriate area to move this case to. I was a little "confuzzled" on where to exactly post it since there is no reported missing case for this little guy and then he was found deceased. Thanks for the updates also.  ::MonkeyAngel::

Some of the reports describe him as being "white" but I would not be surprised if he was actually hispanic from the composite sketch givenb. I pray the bottom feeder that disposed of this child like trash is found and prosecuted. It continues to amaze me how so many people have no respect for a human life especially one of a child.

cartfly I hope there can be an ID on him by morning.  When a child required extra care and supplies/feeding tube and nutrients, I wonder if there wasn't some help from the state or government as he was disabled.  I had a neighbor that had a young daughter with a condition that required she be fed through a tube and they received a certain amount of money or supplies each month to help.  A doctor, nurse, caretaker, a relative or a neighbor hopefully will hear or see about this child, recognize him  and come forward. 

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/DN-bodyfound_17met.ART.State.Edition2.4c575fc.html
Wylie police need public's help to ID boy's body
April 17, 2010

Someone knows this little boy with the soulful brown eyes.

Someone knows how he ended up alone, his underweight body dumped near a stagnant pond.

Someone knows answers to the many questions being asked after the body's discovery Thursday morning by a mowing crew in Collin County.

Autopsy results have not been released, but police in Wylie say there were no obvious injuries.

They now believe the boy was about 6. Earlier they had estimated he was half that age because he weighed just 28 pounds. Normal weight for a 6-year-old is closer to 50.

He probably had "significant medical needs" and showed signs of having had a feeding tube, Wylie police Detective Venece Perepiczka said.

To learn his identity, the Wylie Police Department and the Collin County Child Abuse Task Force have enlisted the help of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The center's forensic artists created an image of the boy based on police photos. It's being distributed across the country.

"Someone out there knows who this child is," said Robert Lowery, executive director of the center's missing children division.

The medical staffers who surgically inserted the feeding tube might recognize him. Or the doctor or nurse who was monitoring his health. Given his age, he may have been enrolled in school. Maybe his family had contact with social services workers.

It's too early to say what might have happened. But those involved in caring for children with chronic health problems say the few details released suggest that the boy needed round-the-clock care. And they say his caregiver probably was under a lot of stress.

"It's next to impossible to care for children with substantial medical needs if you don't have support," said Richard Robison, executive director of the Massachusetts-based Federation for Children with Special Needs.

That support can be hard to come by, and statistics show that a majority of couples with special-needs children end up divorcing, according to Patsy Arnold, founder of a Tarrant County nonprofit called Texas' Special Kids.

"There's an 80 percent chance this was a single parent with little to no support," she said. "A lot of responsibility and stress comes with raising a child who's that medically fragile."

'Truth'

The boy's body was found on a quiet gravel turnoff just south of Lavon Lake. Bottles, yard trimmings and broken tiles pepper the lot. Nearby is a dingy green pond that sometimes draws anglers.

By Friday, passers-by had placed a few tokens in the boy's memory next to a rusty railing: a bouquet of daisies, a stuffed bear wearing a cross that said "Truth," and a card addressed to "Wylie Baby Boy."

A few miles away on Ballard Avenue, Wylie's main drag, traffic streamed by as usual. Signs touted this weekend's Taste of Wylie and an upcoming charity run.

Beth Hoffard, who owns a sweet-smelling candle shop called The Ole Back Porch, knew something had gone wrong late Thursday. A friend spotted a television news truck, and traffic was heavier than usual.

"It's just so sad. In fact, it makes you sick, really," said Hoffard, 55. "I really hope they find out what happened and who did this."

Others echoed her feelings at the Ballard Street Café & Grill, a local favorite known for its giant slices of chocolate pie.

Brandy Brown, a 29-year-old café worker who has lived in the area her whole life, said she felt awful, even fearful.

"You can be in the smallest of towns," she said, "and the biggest of crimes happen."

Such reactions are understandable, said Dawn Davis, a senior case manager with the Texas-based Laura Recovery Center for Missing Children.

"The community wants to be the person in this boy's life that cares for him, that worries for him, because the adult in his life didn't do that," she said. "This child was thrown away without regard, and that's shocking."

Photo is key

Davis said investigators have a challenge on their hands. The best thing they can do is get the boy's photo distributed as widely as possible.

She said that was the key to determining the identity of Baby Grace, a 2-year-old whose body was found in a box in Galveston Bay in October 2007.

Sheryl Sawyers, who lives in Ohio, saw a composite sketch on the Internet and recognized her granddaughter, Riley Ann Sawyers.

The toddler's mother and stepfather were sentenced to life in prison for her murder.

The Wylie case is less than 48 hours old this morning. But for Pam Cude, an investigator with a Houston nonprofit called Child Search, that's too long.

"It's really unnerving to know that someone has not come forward," she said. "I can't imagine being desperate enough to lay a child on the side of the road."

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/041710dnmetunidentifiedboy.258b60b06.html
Wylie police, volunteers seek anyone who might be able to identify boy
April 17, 2010

 Wylie police pressed a platoon of volunteers into duty Saturday to canvass neighborhoods, churches and shopping centers so that people throughout the community could see the doleful face of an unidentified boy whose body was found near a dingy pond south of Lavon Lake this week.
(http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/img/04-10/0417wyliesketch268.jpg)
Wylie police released this illustration on Friday in hopes of identifying a boy whose body was found Thursday at East Fork Park near Lavon Lake.


Volunteers from the Wylie Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association and the Collin County Citizen’s Sheriff’s Academy Alumni Association carried with them a sketch of the boy.

Authorities believe the boy is about 6 years old. Earlier, they believed he was about 3 because he weighed just 28 pounds.

His body showed signs of having been fed through a feeding tube, and Wylie police Detective Venece Perepiczka said he probably had “significant medical needs.”

Police said the boy’s body showed no obvious signs of trauma. Results of an autopsy that could determine how the boy died were pending.

Saturday’s community effort was launched in hopes of finding someone who may have treated the boy medically, seen him at a school or known his family and might have information that could help identify him.

“We’ve all heard about this, and it’s touched everybody,” said Donna Valdepena, the police liaison for the Wylie Citizens Police Academy. “Everybody wants to help. I don’t think anybody could feel right saying no.”

The effort is being matched nationally by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Forensic artists created the boy’s sketch Friday, and it is being distributed across the country.

In Wylie, people have come to the site where the boy’s body was found to drop off stuffed animals and flowers.

“We are a pretty tight-knit community, and I think somebody is going to come forward with some kind of information,” Valdepena said. “The only way to do that is to get the information out.”

http://cbs11tv.com/local/wylie.community.galvanized.2.1640755.html
(Video)
Community Determined To Find Identity Of Dead Boy
April 18, 2010
WYLIE (CBS 11 / TXA 21)

The discovery of a dead 6-year-old at a Wylie lake has galvanized the community to help authorities discover his identity. The doe-eyed boy in the composite sketch authorities released Friday now lines storefront windows throughout the town.

A group of volunteers walked through the town – photo in hand – determined to find out who the boy is and why he was dumped near Lavon Lake.

"How can you have someone that just goes there and drops off something that's a human being," asked Marbeline Sanchez, a Wylie High School Student. "Nobody sees that!"

Authorities said that the boy's body showed signs that he was fed with a feeding tube and that he had significant medical needs. Since the announcement of the discovery, First Baptist Church of Wylie has offered to hold and pay for memorial services.

"In our church congregation today, there was a real outpouring of emotion," said Pastor Kris Segrest. "If no one comes forward to claim this boy's body … we at 1st Baptist would also like to take care of the expenses that are incurred through this boy's burial"

Nearby residents said they are shocked and saddened by the discovery. The boy was found in an area that Wylie residents frequently visit; It's just too close to home, many said.

"People were really concerned about their children and they were wondering what happened and why they found the child," said Dawn Jette, whose sister lives near the discovery site. "Plus, it's so close to home."

Residents have turned the wooded area where he was found into a makeshift memorial, leaving flowers and gifts under a green tarp as a reminder.

"It's just so tragic the way this young man was left out here," said Roy Cook with Country Outreach Church in Wylie. "Just makes you appreciate everything around us."

Investigators say there are no reports of missing children from the area that match the boy. If you have any information about this child, police ask you to call the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1.800.843.5678.

how very sad!
someone will recognize this child...I agree...a caregiver or someone who has taken care of him....
this pizzes me off ..first that someone could be so heartless to leave this little boy all alone dead and secondly for the trauma that they have caused for this man to have found this dead little boy..that is something that this man will never get out of his mind...

Woman starts 'Wylie's Angel' Facebook page to help identify boy found dead at park
1:18 PM CT
The unidentified little boy whose body was abandoned near a Collin County pond last week has been dubbed Wylie's Angel.

Police have not released any updates on the case since Saturday, when volunteers began canvassing neighborhoods, churches and businesses with an image of the brown-haired, brown-eyed boy in hopes that someone might recognize him.

That's the same day that Malorie Martinez started a Facebook page called "Wylie's Angel" to get the image of the boy distributed as widely as possible.

"I wanted to get his face to go national so that maybe an aunt or a close family member might see him," said Martinez, 20, of Dallas, who works with special-needs children and said the case deeply affected her. "I want somebody who knows him and loves him to have that closure."

Martinez said the rapidly growing online community, which has more than 2,330 members, is also organizing a candlelight vigil, possibly for Thursday night, to honor the boy.

Wylie police say the boy, found just after 9 a.m. Thursday on federal land south of Lavon Lake, was about 6 years old. He was about 3-foot-3 and weighed 28 pounds. He appears to have had "significant medical needs" and showed signs of having a feeding tube, police say. Autopsy results have not been released.

Tips are being funneled through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Anyone with information should call 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5768).

First Baptist Church of Wylie members have offered to hold a communitywide memorial service and pay for the boy's burial. It's too early to say whether that offer will be accepted.

Lead Pastor Kris Segrest said church members simply want to help the boy, whose story, Segrest said, "strikes a chord with this congregation."
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/042010dnmetwyliesangel.26296965a.html

http://www.wfaa.com/news/crime/Wylie-residents-help-in-search--91285939.html

(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o100/klaasen3/Sub8/WylieBodyChild.jpg)


Wylie volunteers publicize case of unidentified boy found in park

by MONIKA DIAZ / WFAA-TV

Posted on April 17, 2010 at 7:08 PM

Updated yesterday at 6:22 PM
Related:


WYLIE — From shopping centers to churches to neighborhoods, volunteers in Collin County are searching for answers.

They handed out fliers on Saturday, hoping someone will be able to help identify a little boy's body.

The child, estimated to be around six years old,  was found Thursday morning near a park in Wylie. He had brown hair and brown eyes, weighed about 28 pounds and was a little more than three feet tall.

There were indications that a feeding tube was required to supply him with nutrition.

Volunteers distributed thousands of fliers and tips are already coming in. The sketch of the boy is also being broadcast around the country.

More than 40 people are working on the case this weekend.

Meanwhile, local families are touched by a boy they never knew.

"I came back to put a bear out for him cause he's like Wylie's little angel," said one resident, Kathy Hanson.

The site off Skyview Drive in Wylie —  where a child with special needs was left in a pile of brush — is being attracting curious onlookers.

"I don't how someone could dump an innocent child, nobody's claimed him. It's sad. It's very sad," Hanson said.

"Why would you dispose of them like that, as if they were trash? That just really bothers me," said David Hughes.

Hughes is a father of two boys with rare genetic disorders. He says the anger and sadness he feels over the case are overwhelming.

"Since I have special needs kids, it really makes me sad. It's hard for me to imagine how anybody could do that to a child," he said. "There are no excuses for that. It's heart-wrenching."

It's the face without a name, driving volunteers from the Wylie Citizens Police Alumni Association to hit the streets, passing out fliers, trying to help detectives solve this case.

"It's hard for me to believe that you have a child and it's unidentified at this point and there are no leads to it. It's kind of heartfelt at this point," said Brian Nuss.

This community promises to keep going until they get answers.

"We will figure who you are," Nuss said. "It's a matter of time and the right person that knows that information."

And David Hughes had this message for the child: "There are people out there who loved you, never knew you.  But you know, one day, hopefully, we will get to see him and tell him that we love him."

Anyone with information about the child is urged to call 800-THE-LOST.

E-mail: mdiaz@wfaa.com

We have a facebook group too.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=31235527&id=1387480629#!/group.php?gid=114366891925284&ref=ts

There is a vigil planned for Thursday I believe.

wow..I'm stupid
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=114366891925284&v=app_2373072738#!/group.php?gid=114366891925284&v=wall

hopefully this will work?

There's a vigil for him later this week.
Check the facebook page.
Sorry for posting this twice or whatever.

Thank you FishstickKitty.  I think a vigil is a kind gesture  ::MonkeyAngel::  I hope he can be identified soon though. 

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/042010dnmetwyliesangel.26296965a.html
Woman starts 'Wylie's Angel' Facebook page to help identify boy found dead at park
April 19, 2010

The unidentified little boy whose body was abandoned near a Collin County pond last week has been dubbed Wylie's Angel.  Police have not released any updates on the case since Saturday, when volunteers began canvassing neighborhoods, churches and businesses with an image of the brown-haired, brown-eyed boy in hopes that someone might recognize him.

That's the same day that Malorie Martinez started a Facebook page called "Wylie's Angel" to get the image of the boy distributed as widely as possible.

"I wanted to get his face to go national so that maybe an aunt or a close family member might see him," said Martinez, 20, of Dallas, who works with special-needs children and said the case deeply affected her. "I want somebody who knows him and loves him to have that closure."

Martinez said the rapidly growing online community, which has more than 2,330 members, is also organizing a candlelight vigil, possibly for Thursday night, to honor the boy.

Wylie police say the boy, found just after 9 a.m. Thursday on federal land south of Lavon Lake, was about 6 years old. He was about 3-foot-3 and weighed 28 pounds. He appears to have had "significant medical needs" and showed signs of having a feeding tube, police say. Autopsy results have not been released.

Tips are being funneled through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Anyone with information should call 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5768).
irst Baptist Church of Wylie members have offered to hold a communitywide memorial service and pay for the boy's burial. It's too early to say whether that offer will be accepted.

Lead Pastor Kris Segrest said church members simply want to help the boy, whose story, Segrest said, "strikes a chord with this congregation."

Wylie's Angel is on FacebookSign up for Facebook to connect with Wylie's Angel.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=114366891925284&v=wall&ref=ts

http://www.nbc-2.com/Global/story.asp?S=12334429
Police trying to ID 'special needs' boy found dead in park
April 19, 2010

(snip)
The Collin County Child Abuse Task Force is asking that any persons with information about the identity of this child, specifically in-home health care providers, school personnel, day care personnel or community-based social services to contact: 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678).

So far, no one has come forward to claim the boy.

Police said they do not believe the boy is from a missing child case.

Detectives made stops at area day cares asking if any children had been absent in recent days or had dropped out.

"We're marking anything that could be anything," said Detective Venece Perepiczka. "There's little information that we have to go on right now."
(snip)

Thanks for the links. How tragic and sad. This is someone's little boy, someone's grandchild, nephew, cousin, brother.... I need to reread but did they give an aproximation on time of death? If he has special needs he propbably gets medical assistance through the state. They need to research  anyone that  recently stopped going to their doctor visits or therapy. He also may get an ssi check or something like that. He probably had some sort of assisted care as well. I wonder if he was a foster child?  ::MonkeyWaa::

sorry about the grammar and spelling on my treadmill typing with laptop on top. :bounce:

Hi Newf

One of the articles I read stated they thought the child had been dead about 24 hours. Truly sad this baby
doesn't even seem to have had a childhood. I hope someone recognizes him soon. Rest in peace little one  ::MonkeyAngel:: ::MonkeyAngel::

newfie, "Wylie's Angel" was found on Thursday, April 15th, just after 9:00 a.m., and it's been reported he may have been there about 24 hours.  I found this information reading through the articles posted here.  There's been an autopsy performed, but very little information is being released at this time.  We don't have cause of death , approximation on time of death or anything I can find so far. But one article did say there weren't any apparent injuries or "obvious signs of trauma".  I think you raise some very valid questions/ideas of helping identify him. Hopefully,  we'll  know who  "Wylie's Angel"  is soon, and what events occured that resulted in being dumped like refuse.  Sad.   ::MonkeyNoNo::

Someone knows who this child is.  Someone has given medical care to the little guy or assisted the caregiver with social services.  LE should check all the pediatricians in the area and social services including foster care for special needs kids.  Someone is walking around without the child they are supposed to be caring for.

I personally think he's not from this area.

I looked at the http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/Adoption_and_Foster_Care/Child_Search/default.asp foster care search and found no one that I thought matched his description.

I just hope LE doesn't rest until we find out who he is.

Agreed. Even a neighbor of a foster care parent,  a local civil service worker , store clerk etc. someone knows this little boy has not been around. It may be too soon but it will come out. Our little children  are precious and should be protected. This angers and hurts me. I worked with the developmentally challenged for many years and have a special place in my heart for children and adults with special needs. How can anyone think of hurting a child.. an adult... anyone... I am at a loss... Mankind needs to step back and take the time to care again.   ::MonkeyTears:: I guess this site helps those that want to voice concern and caring. Keep up the good work all.

I agree, someone knows this child.  Am hoping that someone will notice that someone else who used to have a child, doesn't have that child any longer, and ask questions, get involved, contact LE.  There's got to be other family members of this little boy who know a child is gone. 

I also agree that he may not even be from that area.  Baby Grace comes to mind.  Hope the story of this little boy goes nationwide, so everyone will be aware. 

Whoever dumped this sweet lil boy like yesterday's garbage, needs to rot in prison.  IMO.  And I don't care how much 'stress' they may have been under.  No excuses.  IMO. 

 

I will take a wild guess and say the child is from Mexico......


A $20,000 reward is being offered for anyone with information that will lead to the identity of the little boy whose body was found in Wylie last week. Crime Stoppers offered $10,000, and late Monday Schepp's Dairy announced it would also offer a $10,000 reward. Meanwhile, the community is turning to the Internet to spread information about the boy in hopes of finding someone who will recognize him. A candlelight vigil is set for Thursday.

http://friscoblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2010/04/-contact-us-follow-us-1.html

That is more than likely a good guess Nut.  I think it is great they have raised 20,000 in reward money, I hope that brings someone forward.  Terribly sad for this little boy.

Texas: Authorities Search For Identity of Boy Found Dead in Park

By EMILY FRIEDMAN
April 20, 2010

Authorities are asking for the public's help in identifying a child with special needs who was found dead in a Texas park.

The brown haired, brown eyed little boy is about 6-years-old. At 28 pounds, officials say he is only half the average weight of child his age. He was found with a feeding tube attached to him, suggesting that he had "significant medical needs," according to the Wylie Police Department.

The boy was found at around 9 a.m. on April 15 by Gary Valentine, a garden worker who was mowing the area of owned by the Army Corps of Engineers in Wylie, Texas, when he says he saw the body. Wylie is just outside of Dallas in Northeast Texas.

Valentine told ABC News' affiliate WFAA in Dallas that he spotted what he thought was a "small mannequin" while mowing the grass.

"I said a prayer and I knew I was at a crime scene, but I also knew I couldn't throw a child in a brush pile," said Valentine. "So, I stepped across the fence, laid him down, looked back [and] saw a baby blanket [and] took it and covered up the baby and called 911."

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children transformed police photographs from the crime scene into a digital composite of what they believe the boy looks like to try and draw the attention of someone who may know him.

"This is a lifelike image of the little boy that we believe is very close to what he looked like," said Ernie Allen, the president of the organization.

Authorities believe the little boy had only been dead a few days when his body was discovered. There were no obvious signs of trauma, either. A full autopsy report has not yet been released.

"There is somebody out there who misses this little guy," said Allen. "We hope this image will help answer some questions."

"And of course, we hope to help law enforcement determine who did this to him," Allen added.

Allen said that authorities have already received about 60 leads they are following up on, and realize that the child may not be from Texas, and could have just been dumped in the area.

"The way his body was disposed of is not a way we want any child to be disposed of," he said.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/identity-year-boy-found-dead-texas/story?id=10425344&page=1

It's hard for me to deal with the people on facebook...some are sympathetic to the parents/caregivers to this kid..saying one should never judge anothers actions.
I'm like ummm yea I can judge these people. They dumped a kid in the brush. I think that pretty much allows me to think they're scum.

No one set him out to be found. He was covered and not in plain site. So to those who think the parents just didn't have money for a funeral..  Welcome to reality pollyanna.

Now the word is he is a local (Dallasite) but only time will tell.

People suck sometimes.

This kid haunts me. He needs a name.

Hi all... I wonder how long it will take to get the autopsy back. I hope they can find out through the autopsy what his health conditions were. That may help narrow down finding out his identity. Obviously the feeding tube was put in by a doctor. They should search local doctors to find out how many male children matching this description have a feeding tube. It cannot be that common. Probably a pediatrician. Also I am sure blood work was done, they can match that  to his dna as well. They should put out an all points bulletin or whatever they would call it to all surrounding medical facilities with this little boys description as well as the feeding tube. I wonder if each feeding tube has its own serial number that can be traced back to its origin. I wonder if there are fingerprints on the feeding tube? Very sad that know one has stepped forward as of yet.  This little boy deserved someone that would have loved him and cared for him. I still think Foster care is involved. He may have been in a foster home. The FBI needs to check this avenue out as well.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/city/collin/stories/DN-bodyfound_20met.ART0.State.Edition1.4c43cf5.html
Investigators report no progress in efforts to identify boy found dead in Wylie park
Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Investigators say they are following up on every lead but have not been able to identify a little boy whose body was found near a Collin County pond last week.
(snip)

(snip)
Every resource is being utilized to identify this child," investigators said Monday.

Jerry Nance, supervisor of the center's forensic services unit, said the image released of the boy was created by forensic artists using police photos. Nance said that given the condition of the boy's body (police say there was no obvious trauma), the image being distributed is very close to what he looked like when he was alive.

Nance said finding the boy's body so soon after death gives investigators their best chance at identifying him. He had been dead only a couple of days at most, Nance said, when his body was found by a crew mowing on land owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

"Hopefully someone might recognize him," Nance said. "The more people can look at his face, the better off police will be."

http://www.wfaa.com/news/Wylie-church-wants-to-give-mysterious-boy-memorial-service-and-burial-91668599.html
(Video)
Wylie church plans memorial, burial for abandoned boy
April 20, 2010

WYLIE — A pastor and members of his congregation want to give the little boy who was found dead near a Lake Lavon park last week a memorial service and proper burial.

They were so moved after hearing the story, they wanted to do something to help.

Wylie police, along with the Collin County Child Abuse Task Force, are still searching for the boy’s true identity.

The face in the computer-generated photo of the child is causing heartbreak at the First Baptist Church of Wylie. The boy's name, his family, where he came from, and who left him in a brush pile near a pond — all are questions bothering church members five days after his body was discovered.

"It's hard to fathom through that act how disposable it seems life looks," said Pastor Kris Segrest.

Segrest has two children of his own. He wants to give the unidentified child, who's believed to be about six years old, a funeral.

"His life mattered here, and we know his life did, in fact, have a lot of needs," Segrest said.

Kimberly Davidson, like so many others in this community, is taking the boy's death and discovery very personally.

"I have a young daughter, and I just cannot imagine the thought of her being left alone when she was sick or hurt or injured," Davidson said.

The one question church members keep asking is: "What can we do?"

"That’s what we're supposed to do," said Brian Sullivan, a congregant. “We're supposed to step up and care about each other, and this is a situation where that wasn't portrayed."

The believers at First Baptist Church say giving the boy a memorial service and burial follows Biblical teachings in the book of Matthew: To help those who have the least.

That is what the sad thing is ... this community or church would have helped out this little boy or whoever was responsible for him. Yet he was dumped off in the bushes like trash. If he was abducted first or wandered off it would have been reported. This is foul play, either he was killed or died in someone's care and they just disposed of him as if he did not matter. My simple prayer for you little one is that you now have peace in your heart and you are being comforted. Thanks for the links and articles Muffy.

http://www.myfoxdfw.com/dpp/news/042010-reward-offered-for-child%27s-identity
Reward Offered for Child's Identity
April 2010
Regular Photo Size
Reward Offered for Child's Identity

Published : Tuesday, 20 Apr 2010, 7:45 AM CDT

By Alice Wolke Kalthoff | MYFOXDFW.COM

WYLIE, Texas - They're calling him "Wylie's Angel." And two groups are offering a total of $20,000 for anyone who can help connect him with his real name.

The little boy was found dead in a pond off a lonely road in a park in Wylie on Thursday, April 15. The medical examiner says he was about 6 years old, but only weighed 28 pounds and stood 39 inches tall.

That may have been due to a significant illness in his short life. The child shows signs of having been on a feeding tube at some point.

This little boy had brown hair and brown eyes. If you recognize him, please call 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678).

A $10,000 reward is being offered by Schepps Dairy, and another $10,000 is offered by Crime Stoppers.

A Facebook support group called Wylie's Angel has almost 11,000 members. Organizers are planning a candlelight vigil on Thursday, April 22 at 7 p.m. at East Fork Park near Lake Lavon in Wylie, where the boy's body was found.

I am confused I thought he was on a feeding tube. He is a little angel. I am glad the community is reaching out.

What I've read is that they found evidence that he was/is on a feeding tube. I take this to mean a hole (Mickey??) where the tube goes in.

Grandparents feared the worst from image

12:00 AM CDT on Thursday, April 22, 2010
By VALERIE WIGGLESWORTH / The Dallas Morning News
vwigglesworth@dallasnews.com

When she saw the image of the unidentified boy found in Wylie, Laurie Forstmann froze.

He looked so much like her grandson it was unnerving. There were differences, of course, but the similarities were enough to make her hesitate.

She and her husband, Herman, haven't seen or heard from their grandson since their daughter's parental rights were terminated more than two years ago. Isaiah was put in foster care.

Their grandson has brown hair and brown eyes, just like the Wylie boy. And he has medical problems, just like the Wylie boy.

"It kept eating at me, and I told my husband we had to find out," said Forstmann, who lives in Corsicana. "What kind of people would throw away this baby?"

The couple contacted Wylie investigators. And within 24 hours, the Forstmanns were told the boy was not their grandson. Investigators were also able to say that their grandson was fine, though they couldn't reveal where he was living.

The peace of mind was bittersweet, said Herman Forstmann, who still misses the early morning phone calls Isaiah made to his YaYa and Bumpa.

The boy found in Wylie has no family yet.

"That boy is in our hearts now," he said.

His wife said, "He deserves to be loved."

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/city/collin/stories/DN-bodyfoundside_22met.ART.State.Edition1.4c4c3a1.html

Cases like Wylie's confound authorities

11:37 PM CDT on Wednesday, April 21, 2010
By VALERIE WIGGLESWORTH / The Dallas Morning News

The case of the unidentified little boy whose body was found a week ago in Wylie is unusual but hardly unique.

There's the preschool-age boy whose body was found in a laundry bag just outside Chicago in 2005. From 2002 is the case of a newborn boy found dead in front of a repair shop in Weld County, Colo. And still unidentified after more than 45 years is a toddler whose body was fished out of a reservoir in the mountains near Ashland, Ore., in 1963.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's website lists 142 cases of unidentified children, some of them found alive as infants but many dead and still nameless.

"You think, 'How in the world could a child go missing without someone knowing it?' " said Scott Davis of the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office in Tennessee, who has volunteered for the past decade on missing children's cases and hosts an online web series called The Missing.


Davis said the best-case scenario is that the dead child is local and will be recognized by someone in the community.
If he's not local, Davis said, the question becomes where to expand the search.

"Do you look in surrounding cities, surrounding states?" Davis asked.

He started The Missing program on YouTube last year to feature unsolved cases in hopes of reaching people who might know something and hadn't heard about them through traditional news media.

"One person is all it takes," Davis said.

But, he concedes, these cases are tough to solve.

"The person that put this John Doe beside the road does not want to come forward," Davis said.


On the case

Wylie police say the boy found seven days ago by a crew mowing around a pond near Lavon Lake had "significant medical needs." He also showed signs of having had a feeding tube. The brown-haired, brown-eyed boy was small for his age, measuring 39 inches tall and weighing 28 pounds. He's believed to be about 6 years old.

Wylie police Detective Venece Perepiczka said Wednesday that investigators have received more than 400 tips so far.

"Everything we're getting in is helpful," she said. "Eventually we'll get the one to help find out who this boy is."

Wylie investigators are working with the Collin County Child Abuse Task Force and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The center's forensic artists created an image of the boy, based on police photos, that is circulating around the country in hopes that someone will recognize him.

America's Most Wanted is featuring the boy's image on its website. And a Facebook page called Wylie's Angel, started by a Dallas woman, has grown to more than 27,000 members.


Photo comparisons

Tips that come in to the National Center's 24-hour hotline are given to staffers who compare the details provided with the case. If enough information matches, callers are asked to provide a recent photo to do what's called a forensic overlay. Staffers look for points of comparison on the face in the submitted photo and that of the unidentified child, said Jerry Nance, supervisor of the center's forensic services unit.

But the photo comparisons aren't always easy.

"It can be tricky," Nance said, because children younger than 10 have growth spurts that can change their facial features.

If the photos are similar enough, Nance said, the information is sent to local investigators for further review. A positive ID will be made only through DNA or dental records.

Nance said finding the Wylie boy's body so soon after his death gives investigators their best chance at identifying him. Authorities say he'd been dead less than 24 hours.

The state's Department of Public Safety Missing Persons Clearinghouse serves as the central repository for information on missing and unidentified people in Texas. Its database lists 891 unidentified remains statewide, but program supervisor Heidi Fischer said the actual number is likely far greater because local agencies don't always report their cases to the state.

The majority of the remains on record in Texas are adults. Children's cases are relatively rare, Fischer said. But all of them are listed on the center's searchable website in hopes of eventually identifying them.

"A case is never closed unless identification is made," Fischer said.

Nationwide, an estimated 15,000 to 40,000 sets of remains are unidentified, according to the federal Bureau of Justice Statistics. Of the 4,400 cases of unidentified remains reported by medical examiners across the country in an average year, about 1,000 remain unsolved after a year, the bureau reported.


Years of waiting

The cases that drag on for years are some of the most difficult.

On April 28, 2001, the naked and headless body of a black girl was found in a wooded area in Kansas City, Mo. Three days later investigators found her head wrapped in a trash bag.

"I was convinced in the beginning that it would be a matter of hours before someone would call in and report her missing," said Sgt. David Bernard with the Kansas City Police Department's homicide unit. "I was wrong."

Bernard said investigators enlisted experts to create two graphic drawings and two facial reconstructions over the years. With each new image of the child came more tips. But still, the little girl, dubbed Precious Doe, remained unidentified.

Investigators were considering what's called an isotope analysis of teeth and bones to determine which part of the country she was from. But an ad published in a weekly newspaper generated a tip from Oklahoma that broke open the case. Three-year-old Erica Michelle Marie Green was identified nearly four years after her body was found. Her mother and stepfather were arrested in her death. Both are now in prison.

Bernard said, "It was a long, hard four years to finally get that call."


Illinois case

DuPage County Sheriff's Commander Mark Edwalds is still waiting for answers in an Illinois case that has stretched nearly five years.

A man walking his dog on Oct. 8, 2005, found a blue canvas laundry bag containing the remains of a little boy. The body was too decomposed to determine how he died.

Investigators believe the dark-haired boy is between 3 and 5 years old. They filed his DNA with a national database and had forensic artists do sketches and clay renderings to circulate to the public. Hundreds of tips poured in.

They traced the boy's dark blue button-down shirt and pants to Wal-Mart, which sold that Faded Glory brand exclusively. Edwalds said investigators found three instances in the country where the shirt and pants were purchased together. The two credit card purchases were ruled out. The one in the Chicago area, though, was made with cash.

Detectives saturated the area around that Wal-Mart with the boy's images in hopes someone would recognize him.

The case remains unsolved, though tips still come in occasionally. Edwalds remains hopeful.

"Somewhere along the line, somebody's going to get a conscience."

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/city/murphy_sachse_wylie/stories/042210dnmetbodyfound.3fdc587.html

Hi all How sad for all of these unidentified children. What is wrong with mankind. People are not disposable! Thanks for the latest articles, I guess I misunderstood, the article states signs of a feeding tube. I wonder how recent the signs indicate. I also searched the special needs foster care and did not find him, I searced Texas, Louisiana,  Arkansas, and Oklahoma since they were near by.  It does not mean he wasn't in a foster home, he may have been in one for a couple of years and may not have been up for adoption, or maybe he was adopted. Maybe his parents killed him... So many possibilities. ::MonkeyNoNo:: They should put his picture on National news everynight. They should do that with all missing and unidentifed children at the end of each segment. They should do a child a night. We owe it to our children. Maybe I will write ABC, CBS, FOX ETC.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-20003093-504083.html
Wylie's Angel: Handicapped Boy's Body Found in Texas Park, Who Is He?
April 22, 2010

WYLIE, Texas (CBS/AP) - Residents of Wylie Lake, Texas are trying to solve a mystery, and a tragedy, after the body of an unidentified boy was found near Lavon Lake.  Authorities, who believe the boy was 6-years-old, said the child's body showed signs that he was fed with a feeding tube, and that he had significant medical needs; however, there were no apparent signs of trauma.

One week after a gardener found the body in a park, in this community about 20 miles from Dallas, residents have taken to calling the victim "Wylie's Angel," according to CBS affiliate KTVT.

Both the Wylie Police Department and the Collin County Child Task Force are investigating.

"We're marking anything that could be anything. We don't know what we have right now," Detective Venece Perepiczka told KTVT. "There's little information that we even have to go off of right now. We're just taking everything into consideration."

The chld's body was found in a place Wylie residents frequently visit.

"It's just so tragic the way this young man was left out here," said Roy Cook with Country Outreach Church in Wylie. "Just makes you appreciate everything around us."

Police say there are no missing children reports that match information about the boy.

If you have any information about this case, call the hotline of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1.800.843.5678.

http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/Wylie-Hold-Prayer-Service-for-Unidentified-Boy-91777634.html
(Video)
Wylie holds prayer service for unidentified boy
April 21, 2010

WYLIE — Healing was the theme at a Wednesday evening prayer service in Wylie, a city filled with hearts aching over the death of the child who remains unidentified.

"Two weeks ago, this community was at odds because of political campaigns," said Donna Valentino. "This has brought this community back together the way it should be."

Pastors from half a dozen churches took turns leading the prayers, said in part for the child who has become known as "Wylie's Angel," a six-year-old with a feeding tube found dead in this Collin County town two weeks ago.

But the prayers were also for the living — folks like Fire Chief Randy Corbin, attending the service as a private citizen, but well aware of the stress felt in the department he leads.

"It hurts every one of them when things like this happens," Corbin said. "It’s a shame it takes tragedy to make us remember we're all in this together."

Frustrated by the lack of clues in the case of the unidentified child, authorities are now turning to the TV show "America's Most Wanted" for help.

A Facebook page devoted to Wylie's Angel now has 25,000 friends. Page host Malorie Martinez is overwhelmed.

"I just hope somebody sees this and knows his face and calls the number and identifies him so we can bury him with his name," she said.

First Baptist Church of Wylie is sponsoring the funeral for the boy. They have scheduled a memorial service for Thursday evening.

On Wednesday, residents prayed to know who the child is, but for now, that prayer has gone unanswered.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/DN-wylievigil_23met.ART.State.Edition1.4cb3f36.html
Hundreds attend vigil for unidentified boy found dead in Wylie
Friday, April 23, 2010

Strangers came by the hundreds Thursday night to mourn a little boy none of them knew.

They lit a candle, said a prayer and all asked the same question: Who is this boy whose body was abandoned a week ago near a Collin County pond?

Wylie police and the Collin County Child Abuse Task Force are working around the clock with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to try to identify him.

Dan Powers, clinical director for the Children's Advocacy Center of Collin County, said he hopes someone will come forward so this child and this community can be at peace.

"This is our child, too. It's important we find out who he is," Powers said.

Malorie Martinez, who helped organize the vigil at East Fork Park, said she never imagined when she started a Facebook page called "Wylie's Angel" that she would get such an outpouring of support.

"It just shows you how much people really care," Martinez said, applauding the membership for the online group that has expanded to more than 36,000.

People from North Texas are posting alongside folks from Indianapolis, Kansas City, Ireland and Australia about this boy whose identity is a mystery.

"He's truly become our little angel," Martinez said.

Police believe the boy's body had been at the park less than 24 hours when it was found by a mowing crew at the edge of a parking lot April 15. The brown-haired, brown-eyed boy is believed to be about 6 years old. He was small for his age, measuring 39 inches tall and weighing 28 pounds.

Investigators said the boy probably "had significant medical needs." He also showed signs of having had a feeding tube.

Autopsy results have not been released.

Three women from Allen said their favorite fishing spots at the pond and nearby Lavon Lake will never be the same. They will always be thinking about the little boy left here.

"It's a mystery that nobody's identified him and nobody wants him," Lisa Curry said.

Donna Valentino said the boy's story has "unified this community the way it should be. ... I wish his family knew how many people are here for him."

Valentino stepped up to help organize the vigil. She has been posting messages on the Facebook page to stay on point. And she spent last Saturday going door to door in neighborhoods handing out fliers with the boy's image. She dropped them off at every business downtown.

At the vigil, she urged people to think about all the children still out there in need and find ways to volunteer or donate money to agencies such as the Children's Advocacy Center, where the task force working the case is based.

The center, which helps abused children, had 4,700 clients last year.

"There are kids out there still hurting, and they need our support," Valentino said.

After the vigil, many people were compelled to visit the makeshift shrine where the boy's body was found. Dozens of stuffed animals were surrounded by candles, ribbons and crosses. A tall wooden cross reads, "Wylie's Angel – RIP 2010."

Wylie City Council member Bennie Jones told the crowd at the vigil that the answers will come someday. In the meantime, he urged them to remember: "We have found an angel. This is his home now."

http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/Child-advocates-make-plea-to-parents-family-of-child-found-dead-in-Wylie-91877189.html
(video)
A heartfelt plea to parents of boy found dead in Wylie
April 22, 2010

WYLIE — As hundreds of people gathered in Wylie to remember a nameless child, a team of investigators and child advocates made a direct appeal to the boy's family to come forward.

No one knows who the boy's parents are —  or if they are even from North Texas.

But Dan Powers, the clinical director of the Collin County Child Advocacy Center said he hopes they get the message: Help give your child an identity.

The mysterious case of "Wylie's Angel" is new territory for area law enforcement officers. Usually, they try to find missing children. But in this case, they're in the unusual position of trying to locate the parents or relatives of a child who was found dead near East Fork Park one week ago.

"You would think someone would come forth when there's a missing child," Powers said. "There are people who are concerned. But in this case, no one's coming forth."

Powers said with few similar cases and little evidence, it's nearly impossible for investigators to come up with a profile of the boy's parents.

"I hope it's somebody who loved this child very much and didn't know what to do," he said.

First Baptist Church of Wylie pastor Kris Seagrest says the boy's parents or relatives are welcome to find help and comfort at his church. "Maybe they're afraid of litigation," he said. "They should reach out to law authorities, or a church. It could be this one."

The pastor said a local attorney has offered to help with any legal concerns the child's parents might have. "He would be willing to consult with them and give any help he could," said the pastor.

The organizers of Thursday night's candlelight vigil also have a message for the boy's parents.

"All we need is his name," said Malorie Martinez, one of the organizers. "Come forward we'll help you out. Just let us bury him."

Ten investigators from the Collin County Child Abuse Task Force are working diligently on the case around the clock. Powers said no one wants to learn the boy's identify more than they do.

Well they finally found out who he is.Gerren Joseph Isgrigg. Now to find out what happened and is there anyone to punish. His picture is adorable.

(http://media.wfaa.com/images/wylie_boyfound.jpg)

 Authorities Identify 'Wylie's Angel'

The deceased child discovered on April 15 in Wylie has been identified as 6-year-old Gerren Joseph Isgrigg, the Collin County Sheriff's Department announced Friday.

Investigators identified the child from a tip received by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The department is now focusing the investigation on the child's final days, which culminated in a worker discovering his body in the 1900 block of Skyview Drive, near Lake Lavon.

No arrests have been made, although the department said it is pursuing a number of persons of interest in the case.

The Wylie community became deeply involved in the investigation. Days after the discovery, police released a sketch of what the child may have looked like. That picture soon lined the windows of storefronts throughout the city. A Facebook page for the child garnered more than 43,000 members. Both North Texas Crime Stoppers and Schepp's Dairy announced a $10,000 reward for any information leading to the child's positive identification.

First Baptist Church of Wylie held and paid for memorial services for the child, after the congregation was deeply affected by the discovery.

Police issued a picture of Gerren when he was three-years-old. The Collin County Child Abuse Task Force and the Wylie Police Department are continuing the investigation.


http://cbs11tv.com/local/wylie.child.identified.2.1653586.html

 ::MonkeyAngel::  Maybe now little Gerren can be laid to rest, and hopefully it won't be long until LE get to the bottom of why he was dumped along a roadside. 

Thank yall for the updates. What a beautiful little guy.Rest in peace little one. ::MonkeyAngel::

They arrested his grandmother and are calling it murder.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/042410dnmetwyliesangel.27903b5a7.html
"Wylie's Angel,' boy found near Lavon Lake, identified
April 23, 2010

 Police said Friday night that they have identified "Wylie’s Angel," the boy whose abandoned body was found April 15 near Lavon Lake, as 6-year-old Gerren Joseph Isgrigg. A tip filed Friday to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children led to Gerren’s identification.

The tip reportedly was filed by someone who knew the boy three years ago, authorities said. Investigators are said to be following leads on several persons of interest in the case.

The boy was discovered by a crew mowing around a stagnant pond near the lake. Police believe his body had been there less than 24 hours when it was found.

In the days that followed the discovery, Wylie police worked on the case with the national center and the Collin County Child Abuse Task Force. Forensic artists from the center created an image of the boy that was circulated across the U.S. in hopes of finding someone who recognized him.

Hundreds of tips poured in to Wylie police as word of the case spread. A Facebook page called Wylie's Angel, started by a Dallas woman, had drawn more than 43,135 members by late Friday.

Police said the boy had "significant medical needs" and showed signs of having had a feeding tube. The brown-haired, brown-eyed boy was small for his age, measuring 39 inches tall and weighing just 28 pounds.

Gary Valentine in Lavon, who found the body, said Friday night that he had not heard they had a break in the case. He had just gotten home from work and was watching television when a reporter called with the news.

"I’m glad they identified him. I hope they find out what happened," said Valentine, who said he worked as an EMT for years.

"I was so sad for the child. I couldn’t imagine somebody not wanting a baby. To me, that was not something I could dream about. I realize it does happen.

"No matter what, you don’t throw children in brush piles."

http://cbs11tv.com/local/wylie.child.identified.2.1653586.html
Grandmother Charged With Murdering 'Wylie's Angel'
April 23, 2010

WYLIE (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―

  Authorities arrested 63-year-old Darlene Phillips for killing 6-year-old Gerren Joseph Isgrigg, the child authorities spent more than a week identifying who became known as 'Wylie's Angel.'

They announced the arrest hours after authorities revealed the child's identity. Phillips is Isgrigg's maternal grandmother and primary caretaker. She has been charged with murder and is currently being held in the Collin County Detention Facility with a $500,000 bond.

On April 15, a worker who was cutting the grass on the 1900 block of Skyview Drive near Lake Lavon discovered the body and alerted authorities. The medical examiner said there was no sign of trauma, but that the boy had significant medical needs and appeared to have had been fed through a feeding tube.

Investigators identified the child Friday from a tip received by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

The Wylie community became deeply involved in the investigation. Days after the discovery, police released a sketch of what the child may have looked like. That picture soon lined the windows of storefronts throughout the city. A Facebook page for the child garnered more than 43,000 members. Both North Texas Crime Stoppers and Schepp's Dairy announced a $10,000 reward for any information leading to the child's positive identification.

First Baptist Church of Wylie held and paid for memorial services for the child, after the congregation was deeply affected by the discovery.

http://www.wfaa.com/news/crime/Investigators-searching-new-lead-in-Wylies-Angel-case-91981779.html
Police identify 'Wylie's Angel'
April 23, 2010

(http://media.wfaa.com/images/wylie_boyfound.jpg)
Credit: Wylie Police Department
A photo of Gerren Joseph Isgrigg, which police said was taken about three years ago.

DALLAS - Police have identified the small child found dead in a park near Wylie, authorities announced Friday night.

Known as "Wylie's Angel," police said the boy who was found dumped on April 15 is six-year-old Gerren Joseph Isgrigg.

Police were led to the identity of the child through a tip made to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Wylie authorities said in a statement.

Investigators have been working long hours trying to identify the boy. Authorities said in the 36 hours before the conclusive identification, investigators were following new leads they considered promising.

Investigators said there are several persons of interest. Authorities said they are now investigating to determine exactly what happened during Isgrrigg's final days.

A $20,000 reward was offered in the case.   
 

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/6973763.html
Boy found dead in Wylie identified
April 23, 2010

 WYLIE, Texas — A boy found dead earlier this month near a North Texas lake has been identified.

Authorities said late Friday that the body is that of 6-year-old Gerren Joseph Isgrigg. A tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children led to Gerren's identification.

His body was found April 15 in a park near Lavon Lake.

Investigators say the boy probably "had significant medical needs." He also showed signs of having had a feeding tube. Autopsy results have not been released.

Malorie Martinez, who helped organize the vigil Thursday night near the lake that attracted hundreds of people, told The Dallas Morning News that she didn't think when she started a Facebook page called "Wylie's Angel" that she would get so much support. Membership for the online group has grown to more than 36,000.

___

http://www.co.collin.tx.us/rsp-bin/jlistrv.pgm?IDNO=235412&BOKSEQ=0&caller=JLISTR&Rnd%20=5339347949462939

cannot wait to see her ugly mug.

 sounds to me the "sperm donor and egg donor" put all the responsibility of taking care of Gerren with the Grandmother, not that what she did was right. I am not sure what I am trying to say..... ::MonkeyMad::




Police Identify Wylie's Angel, Arrest Grandmother

By LITA BECK
Updated 11:50 PM CDT, Fri, Apr 23, 2010


Wylie police said investigators have identified the boy known as "Wylie's Angel."

A landscaper found the boy's body abandoned in a park near Lake Lavon on April 15.

Wylie police said the boy was identified as 6-year-old Gerren Joseph Isgrigg. Police arrested Darlene Phillips, 63, in the child's death late Friday night.

Detective Venece Perepiczka said the case is still under investigation, but authorities do have enough to charge Phillips with murder.

"Circumstances that she was in control of led to his murder," she said.

Investigators said Phillips was the child's primary caregiver.

Perepiczka declined to say where Phillips resides.

Wylie police said a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children led to the child's identity. Investigators had received hundreds of tips in the case.

Police released a photo of the boy from the boy's father that taken about three years ago.

Investigators have spoken to the child's biological parents, who are not married and live in separate states outside of Texas. The father, who lives in California, and the mother, who lives in Oklahoma, are not considered suspects in the case, Perepiczka said.

The medical examiner earlier said the child appeared to have had severe medical needs and was fed at some point through a feeding tube. The cause of death has not been determined, but the medical examiner said there were no signs of physical trauma.

Now that boy's identity is known, the medical examiner's office can look at his medical history and determine a cause of death. Perepiczka said Friday that the boy's body had no apparent trauma.

"This was just a very unfortunate circumstance in a situation where this little Gerren was not taken care of well, and it ended up to his murder," she said. "That's that best way that I can describe that right now."

Autopsy results were still pending Friday night.

Wylie residents have held vigils to pray for Isgrigg and have left teddy bears and other stuffed animals at a memorial at Eastfork Park, where the boy was found. Volunteers passed out fliers about the boy, and a North Texas woman set up a Facebook page to raise awareness of the case.

"The effort that the media and that the public put into this definitely led to the positive identification of Gerren," Perepiczka said. "At the end of the day, I think the best thing that we did was identify Gerren and find who was responsible for his untimely demise."

Phillips is being held in the Collin County Detention Facility on a $500,000 bond.

http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local-beat/Police-Identify-Wylies-Angel-91984134.html  (http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local-beat/Police-Identify-Wylies-Angel-91984134.html)

No Booking Photo yet.........

http://www.co.collin.tx.us/rsp-bin/jlistrv.pgm?IDNO=235412&BOKSEQ=0&caller=JLISTR&Rnd%20=1866666888336230

Thanks for all of the articles. I am so glad they did this swiftly and found out who this little boy was. Shocking that it is the grandmother. Apparently she had custody for one reason or another. Maybe his biological parents were unfit or they did not know how to take care of a special needs child. I wonder why one of them did not know that this was their son. The tip came from the missing and exploited childrens hotline. Any way I hope this case is not as dramatic and full of liars, ie Casey, Cindy,Tammi, Josh,Misty,etc. (geeze  ::MonkeyEek::) like the other cases on this board. I guess time will tell. Maybe grandma will confess and that will be that, or she will lawyer up and we will all have to buckle up for the rollercoaster ride.

God Bless you Gerren, you are in good hands now and may justice be served to the person who did this to you.  ::MonkeyAngel::

my sentiments as well...

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/DN-bodyfound_24met.ART.State.Edition2.4c511da.html
'Wylie's angel' ID'd; grandmother held on murder charge
Saturday, April 24, 2010

After eight days, he has a name: Gerren Joseph Isgrigg.

Late Friday, Wylie police investigators confirmed the identity of the 6-year-old whose body was found by a mowing crew April 15 near a Collin County pond.

Gerren's maternal grandmother and primary caregiver, 63-year-old Darlene Phillips, was arrested after 10 p.m. on a murder charge. Her bail was set at $500,000.

"We're going straight on that she murdered Gerren by her actions," Wylie Detective Venece Perepiczka said. "This was a very unfortunate circumstance. Gerren was not taken care of well."

Police said the boy's parents are separated. The father lives in California and the mother in Oklahoma. Their names were not released. Police didn't say where the grandmother and Gerren lived.

Police said a tip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's hotline led to the identification of Gerren, whose story has left its mark on the hearts of thousands around the world.

Investigators said they were looking into what happened in the final days before Gerren's death. Autopsy results are pending, but police have said there were no obvious injuries.

Wylie police had worked around the clock with the national center and the Collin County Child Abuse Task Force since last week, checking hundreds of tips to learn the boy's identity.

An image of Gerren that the center's forensic artists created based on police photos was circulated worldwide in hopes that someone would recognize him.

In announcing Gerren's name Friday, investigators also released a photograph provided by his father. It was taken three years ago while the boy was in the hospital.

As news of Gerren's identity spread, relief poured through the comments on the "Wylie's Angel" Facebook page started by a Dallas woman. Malorie Martinez said her mission was simply to give Gerren a name.

"I can't even describe how much this means," Martinez, 20, said through tears.

Membership for the online group topped 44,000 and was still growing.

Martinez and Donna Valentino of Richardson have barely slept over the last week as they monitored the comments online to ensure that the messages remained positive. They also organized a candlelight vigil Thursday at East Fork Park that attracted hundreds of people who prayed for answers.

"There is a God," said Valentino after learning the boy had been identified. She said she had put in countless hours simply because "somebody had to know him."

Police said the brown-haired, brown-eyed boy was small for his age, measuring 39 inches tall and weighing just 28 pounds. He had "significant medical needs" and showed signs of having had a feeding tube. Police believe his body had been abandoned less than 24 hours before it was found.

Gary Valentine of Lavon, who found Gerren's body while mowing on Army Corps of Engineers land, said he was relieved to learn the boy had been identified.

"I was so sad for the child. I couldn't imagine somebody not wanting a baby," said Valentine, who was an EMT for years.

"No matter what, you don't throw children in brush piles."

RIP Gerren Joseph, you are in the arms of the Lord now, free from illness and pain.  God called his little 6 year old angel home to him to cherish for the beautiful soul he is.  My heart goes out to you and to all who now love you.  You, who once was nourished through a feeding tube, is now nourished by the word of God.

 ::MonkeyAngel::

Woman Arrested in Wylie's Angel Murder

Published : Saturday, 24 Apr 2010, 2:42 PM CDT

WYLIE, Texas - A north Texas woman has been arrested and charged with murder in the death of a 6-year-old boy whose body was found in Wylie near Lake Lavon last week. Investigators say Darlene Phillips, 63, is the maternal grandmother of the victim, Gerren Joseph Isgrigg.

The boy was known only as "Wylie's Angel" until Friday when investigators announced a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children had helped them identify the child.

Phillips is being charged with Murder and is currently being held in the Collin County Detention Facility. Her bond has been set at $500,000.00.

Police say Phillips was Isgrigg's primary caregiver. They say the boy's parents live in other states and are separated.

The Collin County Medical Examiner says there were no injuries on the body and they have not yet determined a cause of death. Investigators say Isgrigg was very small for his age and there is evidence he needed a feeding tube to survive.
...
http://www.myfoxdfw.com/dpp/news/woman-arrested-in-wylie%27s-angel-murder

http://www.wfaa.com/news/Wylies-Angel-was-severely-ill-says-grandfather-92021724.html
(Video)
'Wylie's Angel' was severely ill, says grandfather
April 24, 2010

'Wylie's Angel,' Gerren Joseph Isgrigg, lived in darkness and silence, with severe medical hardships that tore a family apart, News 8 has learned.

The little boy's grandmother, 63-year-old Darlene Phillips, is in jail, accused of killing him. It's an arrest that has stunned his family.

According to Patrick Phillips, and the boy's paternal grandparents, Gerren was very sick.

He was blind, deaf, had seizures and was on a feeding tube most of his life.

Phillips says that his daughter asked them to take care of Gerren for two weeks. He said those two weeks turned into three years.

In Wylie, there's relief, now that the mystery of the boy found near Lake Lavon is no more.

They know the name of their angel.

"He's got a beautiful name and beautiful face to go with it now," said one resident, Peggy Simants.

Gerren was six years old.

"It broke my heart because I just became a grandmother myself and I can't fathom how someone could do this to their own grandchild. It's beyond me to understand and grasp," said Simants.

Investigators are confident about the case.

"We are going straight off that she murdered Gerren," said Detective Venece Perepiczka from Wylie police.

"She was the primary caretaker of Gerren at this time. We believe she was the one responsible for his well being, circumstances that she was in control led to his murder," she added.

News 8 has learned that Phillips, her husband and Gerren were living in the Budget Suites of America in The Colony.

Latasha Johnson remembers seeing Phillips on the property.

"I've got a little dog that has got some problems and she was just giving me advice on where to take him for a vet. She's really nice with all the kids," she said.

The suspect's husband, Patrick Phillips, would not go on camera, but he says he's heartbroken and devastated.

He and his wife have been taking care of Gerren for the past three and half years.

He told us Gerren was in vegetative state and that his wife took good care of him, fed him and gave him medicine everyday.

Phillips says he doesn't know what happened, only that wife of 30 years told him that she left Gerren with a social worker last week.

Back at the memorial, families are hoping they can say goodbye to their angel.

They want Wylie to be his home.

"I'm hoping that we get to keep him and have a burial here, lay him to rest in Wylie," said Kathy Henson.

"He's still Wylie's angel and he will always be Wylie's angel," she added.

Investigators are still working on the case.

They do not expect to make any other arrests this weekend.

The results of the autopsy are pending and again and the cause of death has not been released.

*************************************
Questions:
1.  How much money/goods/food stamps/relief/supplies were drawn each month for the care of Gerren, due to his severe disabilities?
2.  Who collected #1 and for how long?
3.  When was the last time a social worker/doctor, therapist saw Gerren?
4.  Were Gerren's parents (either/both) advised the Grandma couldn't care for him anymore?
5.  Did Gerren die from lack of care/nutrition?
6.  Was there any oversight for #'s 1, 2, 3, 4, 5?
7.  Why was Gerren dumped at the side of the road?
8.  Was Gerren murdered?  (Also see #5)
9.  If Gerren wasn't murdered or mistreated, why dump his little body at the side of the road? 

So many questions, not enough answers.  Even if I saw answers, I'm not sure I could fathom the reasoning behind them for Gerren to end up dumped at the side of the road.  No matter what, it just didn't have to end this way for little Gerren.  It's my hope the citizens of Wylie will be allowed to bury their little angel Gerren.   Rest in peace, Gerren.   ::MonkeyAngel::

This article is from yesterday, but contains more information, so I'll post it:

http://cbs11tv.com/local/wylie.child.identified.2.1653586.html
(Video)
Police: Wylie Grandmother Arrested Swiftly Friday
April 23, 2010

WYLIE (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―


Authorities arrested 63-year-old Darlene Phillips for killing 6-year-old Gerren Joseph Isgrigg, the child authorities spent more than a week identifying after being found dead near Lake Lavon.

They announced the arrest hours after authorities revealed the child's identity. Phillips is Isgrigg's maternal grandmother and primary caretaker. She has been charged with murder and is currently being held in the Collin County Detention Facility with a $500,000 bond.

On April 15, a worker who was cutting the grass on the 1900 block of Skyview Drive near Lake Lavon discovered the body and alerted authorities. The medical examiner said there was no sign of trauma, but that the boy had significant medical needs and appeared to have had been fed through a feeding tube.

Investigators identified the child Friday from a tip received by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

The arrest was swift. Police said Phillips was interviewed at the Collin County Child Advocacy Center late Friday. Within minutes, the boy was identified and Phillips was arrested. Police said the death was not just an act of neglect.
[/color]
"We're going straight off that she murdered Gerren … by her actions that a murder was committed and she was responsible," said detective Venece Perepiczka with the Wylie Police Department.

Police swarmed her last known address in Garland Thursday. Neighbors said detectives in plainclothes bluntly announced they were investigating the death of the child known as 'Wylie's Angel' upon their arrival. Neighbors said the home was abandoned a few days ago and that no other children lived at the home.

The Wylie community became deeply involved in the investigation. Days after the discovery, police released a sketch of what the child may have looked like. That picture soon lined the windows of storefronts throughout the city. Community members soon began calling him 'Wylie's Angel.'

A Facebook page for the child garnered more than 43,000 members. Both North Texas Crime Stoppers and Schepp's Dairy announced a $10,000 reward for any information leading to the child's positive identification.

First Baptist Church of Wylie offered to hold and pay for memorial services for the child, after the congregation was deeply affected by the discovery.

On Saturday, many Wylie residents said the identification and arrest brought the city some closure. Some gathered around the makeshift shrine at the location where the boy was discovered to pay their final respects.

"It's a blessing that he's been identified and now he can be laid to rest peacefully and with a name," said Wylie resident Marsha Cox.

Many of those fliers put up around town were removed Saturday. The few that remain are just hand-scribbled updates of the boy's full name.

Child Protective Services confirmed that it opened a case at the Phillips residence based on the boy's death. It said it had no prior calls for assistance at the address.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/APStories/stories/D9F9LCQ01.html
Grandmother arrested in death of 6-year-old boy
April 24, 2010

he grandmother of a 6-year-old boy whose body was found near a North Texas lake last week has been arrested on a murder charge.

Darlene Phillips, the boy's maternal grandmother and primary caregiver, was arrested Friday night and remained in the Collin County Detention Facility in McKinney on Saturday. Her bail was set at $500,000. A jail official had no attorney information for her.

Wylie investigators confirmed the identity of the boy late Friday as Gerren Joseph Isgrigg. His body was found April 15 near a Collin County lake. Police think the body was abandoned less than 24 hours before it was found.

Police have said he was small for his age, weighing just 28 pounds, and had "significant medical needs." He showed signs of having had a feeding tube.

"Gerren was not taken care of well," Wylie Detective Venece Perepiczka told The Dallas Morning News, adding that the boy was not physically able to care for himself.

Autopsy results are pending, but police have said there were no obvious injuries.

Police have not said where the 63-year-old Phillips lived. Police said the boy's parents are separated, with his father living in California and his mother living in Oklahoma. The names of the parents were not released.

Police said a tip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's hotline led to Gerren's identification.

The discovery of his body had touched many, with a candlelight vigil Thursday bringing hundreds of people to a Wylie park to pray for answers to his identity. A "Wylie's Angel" Facebook page has seen membership grow to 44,000.

wow... this tears at the heart. This beautiful little boy felt and he may have been deaf and blind but he had a heart. According to the articles he was not taken care of very well.  Why was he left at his grandmothers for three years. How horrible. We do not dump our children off as if they do not matter. I may sound judgemental but shame on the parents! Even if they could not handle him, what about weekly or monthly visits, helping out monetarily. Those are very good questions above. Who was getting the disability checks? Were any papers signed over for legal guardianship? If he and the grandmother was recently with a social worker why was there a tip through the hotline? Why didn't the social worker come forward? He is and was a little angel.  I may sound redundant but  I am so glad they found out who he was quickly. Please let there be some justice for this little boy.

Just reported on our local news in Dallas, the father had been separated from his wife, he just returned from a tour in Iraq and was looking for his son! 

Mother took him to her mother (Phillips) 3 1/2 years ago.  The grandparents were living in a motel in The Colonies (here near Dallas).  The grandfather said they were caring for him as best they could, he was in a vegetative state and they did what they could for him.

Grandfather said the Grandmother told him she had taken him to a social worker and left him with her earlier this week.

It seems every day another child is being tossed out like dirty dish water. It breaks my heart. Babs thanks for the local report. What I don't get is the grandparents had, had Gerren for 3 1/2 years. The dad has been looking for him how long? Since his return from Iraq or the whole three and half years he has been with the grandparents.
Since the poor little angel was a very special needs child and you couldn't take care of him or didn't want to take care of him. Why not give him to the state to care for. You would know your child was getting the best possible care. Why the grand parents? Why wouldn't they seek professional help for their grand child?

I just don't get it. Rest in Peace Gerren.  ::MonkeyAngel:: May justice be swift for you and all that are to blame get right they all deserve.

It's been reported that police swarmed the home of Patrick and Darlene Phillips in Garland, TX.  Neighbors said the home was abandoned a few days earlier.  Also reported is that the Phillips (maternal grandparents) and Gerren were staying at the Budget Suites of America in The Colony.  Evidently that is a motel in The Colonies, near Dallas.  Patrick says he doesn't know what happened, only that Darlene told him that a week earlier she had left Gerren with a social worker.   

From Dallas, it's pretty much a straight shot up Hwy 78 to Wylie, TX with Garland, TX on/near the Hwy in between.  Garland is about 22 miles northeast of Dallas, and Wylie is about 11 miles northeast of Garland. 

So... the Phillip's home is in Garland, TX -- but they apparently left there and were staying in a motel near Dallas.  At some point around that time, Darlene supposedly leaves Gerren with a social worker.  (And yet, Gerren's body is found in Wylie, TX).  Patrick doesn't know what happened.  Really? 

Since he was with her, I just find it really hard to believe that he didn't know what all was going on.  Did he even ask Darlene why she would leave Gerren with a SW?  It was said in one of the above articles that Patrick 'would not go on camera'.  Why not?  That just makes me even more suspicious of him.  I think that he may have been involved with whatever happened to Gerren, at the least in the disposal of his body. It was reported earlier on that police supposedly has leads on 'several persons of interest' in the case.  The detective has said that Gerren's bio-parents are not considered suspects.  Won't surprise me in the least if grandpa Patrick is arrested at some point in this case.   

It's been reported that Gerren was severely ill, blind, deaf, had seizures, had been on a feeding tube most of his life, and was in a vegetative state.  Patrick says that Darlene took good care of him, fed him and gave him medicine everyday.  But police say that Gerren was not taken care of well, that his death was not just an act of neglect, that circumstances Darlene was in control of led to his murder, and that his body had no apparent trauma. 

It sounds like in addition to neglect, Gerren either wasn't being fed or wasn't given his meds, or both.  Gerren was in a vegetative state.  Is this going to end up being a case where the caregiver chose to end their loved one's life as it was, not being able or willing to continue this care indefintely?  I have such mixed feelings when something like this happens. 

If this is what led up to Gerren's death, am thinking that disposing of his body rather contacting authorities and having a decent burial, likely will bring even more serious charges. 

Sorry, forgot to mention in the above post that the info I referred to was taken from sev. of the articles posted upthread.  All else is IMO. 

http://www.wfaa.com/news/Wylies-Angel-was-severely-ill-says-grandfather-92021724.html
(snip)
News 8 has learned that Phillips, her husband and Gerren were living in the Budget Suites of America in The Colony.

Here's some information on the Budget Suites of America in The Colony:

http://www.budgetsuites.com/locations/tx/thecolony.html
5289 S. Highway 121, The Colony, TX

(http://www.budgetsuites.com/locations/tx/images/342-1.gif)
(http://www.budgetsuites.com/locations/tx/images/pool_tx.jpg)

In this article it states:
http://cbs11tv.com/local/wylie.child.identified.2.1653586.html
(snip)
Police swarmed her last known address in Garland Thursday. Neighbors said detectives in plainclothes bluntly announced they were investigating the death of the child known as 'Wylie's Angel' upon their arrival. Neighbors said the home was abandoned a few days ago and that no other children lived at the home. (snip)


Does this mean Darlene and Patrick Phillips lived in a house in Garland but the neighbors say the house had been abandoned a few days earlier, and they were staying at the Budget Suites of America in The Colony.  Why did they abandon their house and move to the Budget Suites?  Was that before, after, or during the time of the murder of Gerren?  Were they at the home, Gerren was dumped at the roadside and they moved on?  I haven't seen where Darlene Phillips was when she was arrested, but according to an article posted here, she was arrested at 10:00 p.m. 

It looks like the Budget Suites are set up for weekly rates, starting at $179.00 for one adult, and they have kitchenettes etc. "fully furnished apartments", all bills paid.

Why were the Phillips staying at the Budget Suites? 
I checked Google maps, and the distance between Garland, TX and The Colony TX is 26.6 mil, or about a 38 min drive (50 min. with traffic)
This would vary , because I don't have the street address where the Phillips lived in Garland, but you can see it isn't far.

So far there has only been one arrest, which is Darlene Phillips.  Patrick Phillips said his wife Darlene left Gerren with a social worker.  What happened to all of Gerren's things?  Where are his clothes?  His medicines?   Where are the things that were used to care for him with?  Maybe there just wasn't much? 

Hard, broken life of 'Wylie's Angel' emerges after grandmother's arrest

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/crime/stories/DN-bodyfound_25met.ART.State.Edition2.4d3797b.html (http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/crime/stories/DN-bodyfound_25met.ART.State.Edition2.4d3797b.html)

Sunday, April 25, 2010
VALERIE WIGGLESWORTH
TANYA EISERER
The Dallas Morning News
Jon Nielsen contributed to this report.

Exactly how Gerren Isgrigg's frail body ended up near a Collin County pond on April 15 is still a mystery. But a clearer picture is emerging of the fractured family life that followed the 6-year-old to his death.

His maternal grandmother and primary caretaker sits in the Collin County Jail facing a murder charge. His maternal grandfather thought the boy, who was blind and deaf, had been left with a social worker. And Gerren's paternal family believed he was living with his mother, who got sole custody of the boy after a 2006 divorce.

"We're still in shock and disbelief," said Linda Isgrigg, Gerren's paternal grandmother in Arizona. "All they would have had to do was bring him here. ... I could have been there every day to see that he was taken care of." Gerren's severe medical problems began shortly after his birth in September 2003. He required around-the-clock care and a special diet provided through a feeding tube. He couldn't do anything for himself. "All he could do was lay there," Isgrigg said.

Police have said the actions of his maternal grandmother, Darlene Phillips, led to Gerren's death, but they declined to elaborate. Phillips, 63, is being held on $500,000 bail.

"Little Gerren was not taken care of well, and it ended up to his murder," Wylie Detective Venece Perepiczka said in announcing the arrest late Friday. The investigation is ongoing, she said, as the task force that has been working nonstop since Gerren was found tries to determine what happened.

From weeks to years

Patrick Phillips said he and his wife were asked by their daughter, Nyki Phillips, to take Gerren for a couple of weeks. Those weeks turned into years. "My wife doted on that boy," Patrick Phillips said from the motel in The Colony where he and his wife had been living recently. "They're making her out to be a murderer. It's heart-wrenching." Nyki Phillips, who police say lives in Oklahoma, couldn't be reached for comment. Patrick Phillips said he doesn't know what happened to Gerren. He told WFAA-TV (Channel 8) that his wife said she left Gerren with a social worker.

Marissa Gonzales, a spokeswoman for Child Protective Services, said her agency had no contact with the family. Records show Darlene Phillips was once a caregiver for an assisted living center in Arizona that may have been owned by relatives. It was unclear whether she had any medical training.

Tip leads to DNA test

Gerren's body was discovered at the edge of a parking lot just after 9 a.m. by a mowing crew on federal land. Small for his age, he measured 39 inches tall and just 28 pounds. He remained unidentified for more than a week as investigators with the Wylie Police Department and the Collin County Child Abuse Task Force searched for clues to his past.

A computer-enhanced image of Gerren was plastered on the news and on fliers all over the community south of Lavon Lake. A Facebook page dubbed "Wylie's Angel" took the little boy's story global in hopes that someone would recognize him. A tip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's hotline gave police the break they needed to track down his family. Investigators contacted Gerren's father in California early Friday. Jerry Isgrigg provided a DNA sample that confirmed Gerren's identity.

Linda Isgrigg said her son was making regular child support payments to his ex-wife and thought Gerren was still living with her. He was the couple's only child together. She believed the marriage ended over Gerren's medical problems. Her son saw Gerren when he could, she said, but it was infrequent because he was in the military.

A staff sergeant in the Marines, Jerry Isgrigg recently returned from a brief tour in Korea, Linda Isgrigg said. He served in the Persian Gulf War, left the military for about a decade, then re-enlisted and served in the Iraq war. He is stationed at the Marine base in Twentynine Palms, Calif.

Father's concerns

Jerry Isgrigg was at his parents' home in Arizona on Saturday and making plans to come to Texas, his mother said. He declined to comment. Linda Isgrigg said she didn't know when her son last saw Gerren, but she knew that it had been awhile. "He was always concerned" about Gerren's well-being, she said.

Isgrigg said that at one point Gerren was staying at the Truman Smith Children's Care Center in Gladewater, Texas, but she wasn't sure for how long. Officials at the nursing home declined to comment, citing health care privacy laws. "I called one day to check to see how he was, and they said that he wasn't there," Isgrigg said. "I said let me talk to the nurse, and they said that he wasn't there anymore, that she [his mother] came and got him." Isgrigg said she last saw Gerren about two years ago.

"I don't understand why didn't they just contact somebody and say, 'I can't handle this. Will you please take him?' Or call his dad," Linda Isgrigg said. "These children do not have a voice."

this is all very sad...the grand mother was probably very overwhelmed..she should have asked for help for the state to take this child because she could no longer care for him...In her photo/mugshot..she looked like she was around 80 yrs old I thought! The other grand parents could have done more to follow up on this child...the father could have done more to find out what had happened to his child and most certainly the bio mother dumped this child onto her elderly parents to take...they are all responsible for this child's lack of care imo....easy to say, all they had to do was bring him here or called and we would have taken care of him...this little boy deserved to have some dignity of life...he would have been so much better off in a facility that could care for a child with his disabilities..

and Wyks...I think that it was you who may have touched on this, maybe this was a mercy killing by this grand mother for the little boy...had not thought of that, but it could be...
No matter how or why this grand mother killed this child, or if it was natural causes, which it doesn't look like,  she should have never dumped his little body..my heart hurts

Not sure how "concerned" about Gerren his father was, tho his mother says he was.  In the above article, it says that Gerren's father had been paying child support to Gerren's mother, who got sole custody after their divorce in 2006.  So Gerren was about 2 at the time.  He had lived in a center, then two years ago his maternal grandma came and got him.  (Thought the maternal grandpa says that his daughter dropped Gerren off for a couple of weeks, didn't come back, what about that story?)  All this time Gerren's father thought he was living with his ex wife, Gerren's mom.  So for 4 years now she's been taking the child support??  Sure hope she forwarded that money to the maternal grandma.  But since Gerren's father didn't know any of this, he couldn't have been to see him in many years.  Even taking into consideration he was likely deployed for part of that time, how "concerned" about Gerren could he have possibly been??   

And since Gerren's mom had sole custody (which includes physical, legal, and medical custody, right?) how the heck then did Darlene Phillips supposedly take Gerren out of the medical center?  Wouldn't they have needed to have Gerren's mom sign him out?  That part doesn't make sense, and am wondering if that's just what the paternal side of the family thinks or was told by someone?   

The whole thing between both families (communication, knowledge and involvement), in regards to Gerren, sounds like one big fuster cluck.  ::MonkeyMad::

Apr 25, 2010 6:02 pm US/Central

Relatives: Public Misunderstands Isgrigg's Death

Relatives of the woman charged with murdering 'Wylie's Angel' called the incident a "tragedy" and that it is "nothing like it's being portrayed."

On Friday, police announced that the dead 6-year-old found near Lake Lavon on April 15 was named Gerren Joseph Isgrigg and his grandmother Darlene Phillips, 63, had been arrested and charged with killing him.

After speaking with the media over the weekend, Phillips' husband Patrick and a younger, unidentified man who called him "Dad" said they had been evicted from the suburban Dallas extended stay motel.

The man said the public had the wrong impression of what happened, and that the child was deaf, blind and needed to be fed through a feeding tube.

"She left him some place where she thought he'd be found," the man said. "I mean, she fed him and everything. He came as a complete vegetable, the whole time and everything."

Phillips' husband did not want to talk Sunday. Published reports indicate the boy's mother left him with his grandparents after her divorce in 2006.

"It's nothing like it's being portrayed," said the man with Phillips' husband. "She told us she took him to a social worker; we didn't know that."

The medical examiner has yet to reveal a cause of death, but authorities are set in their belief that Phillips is responsible for killing the boy.

"We're going straight off that she murdered Gerren … by her actions that a murder was committed and she was responsible," said detective Venece Perepiczka with the Wylie Police Department.

On Saturday, many Wylie residents said the identification and arrest brought the city some closure. Some gathered around a makeshift shrine at the location where the boy was discovered to pay their final respects.

"It's a blessing that he's been identified and now he can be laid to rest peacefully and with a name," said Wylie resident Marsha Cox.

After the sun set Saturday, visitors lit a makeshift memorial for the boy, with the name "Gerren" spelled out with small candles accompanied by a large, candle-lit heart. Strangers continued to pour in as the night went on.

"Just looking at him makes me want to go home and love my kid 100 times more," said Mona Crutcher, who is the mother of a special needs boy herself. She said she realizes raising a special needs child takes much time and effort, but she can't fathom anyone just dumping a child.

Phillips remains in the Collin County Jail on $500,000 bond.
http://cbs11tv.com/local/public.misunderstands.death.2.1655741.html

do they think that she left him out where she did hoping that someone would find him? not intending to have the child die? she could have taken him to a hospital or to a fire station..anywhere...You don't leave a child outside all alone like that...

Well, this is what we know so far:

Gerren Joseph Isgrigg
6 years old
born September 2003
stayed in the Truman Smith Childrens Care Center in Gladwater TX for an unknown length of time.


Jerry Isgrigg - father
ssgt in marine corps
persian gulf war
left military for 10 years
rejoined military went to iraq
stationed in 29 Palms, CA

Nyki Phillips - mother
living in Oklahoma

Jerry and Nyki divorced - 2006
mom sole custody
dad paid mom child support
some reports indicate Nyki took Gerren to her parents home for two weeks shortly after their divorce in 2006, has never picked him up. 

???? Isgrigg - paternal grandpa
living in AZ

Linda Isgrigg - paternal grandma
living in AZ

Patrick Phillips - maternal grandpa
living in TX

Darlene Phillips - maternal grandma
living in TX
age 63
arrested on murder charges

Seems that's what some of the family are thinking, cookie.  But no, he shouldn't have been left there like that. 

Patrick (maternal grandpa) said that Darlene said she left Gerren with a social worker.  And yet in another interview, an un-identified man who called Patrick 'Dad' said, "She left him some place where she thought he'd be found."  I guess that's Gerren's uncle, son of Patrick and Darlene? 

Two different stories now from the maternal family. 

No matter what, she could have left Gerren in a safe place.  One does not put a child under the bushes in a deserted area, wrapped in a blanket with his feet sticking out, in the hopes that someone will come along and find him.  IMO.. Gerren was hidden there in the hopes that no one would find him, in time for him to survive anyway.   

Waiting for story #3.... and I doubt that it will make any sense either. 

Hi Wykkers...

nothing surprises me anymore...I don't understand people, I really don't...what makes some of these folks ticks? beyond me...

Man blames caretaker stress, says wife hoped grandson would get help in park

12:00 AM CDT on Monday, April 26, 2010
By JON NIELSEN and TANYA EISERER / The Dallas Morning News

The woman who cared for "Wylie's Angel" told her husband from jail Sunday that she left 6-year-old Gerren Joseph Isgrigg in the park hoping that somebody would pick him up.

Nobody did.

And the boy – who was physically disabled, had seizures daily and was fed through a tube in his stomach – was found dead.

The caretaker, Darlene Phillips, the boy's 63-year-old grandmother, is charged with murder in his death. She was taken into custody late Friday, eight days after Gerren's body was found near Lavon Lake.

Phillips' husband of 30 years, Patrick, said that his wife cried and expressed regret during the 25 minutes he spent with her Sunday morning at the Collin County Jail. He said that stress from around-the-clock care for the boy was probably too much for his wife to take.

"From our conversation today, she knows it was a big mistake," Patrick Phillips said. "She never planned on this to happen.

"She thought somebody would come along right away and he would be taken care of," he said. "Stress does terrible things."

The boy's father, Jerry Isgrigg, finds the story unbelievable.

"I can't fathom it. Honestly, I just can't fathom a person doing it, let alone a family member doing it and let alone somebody who's actually been caring for him day in and day out doing it," he said.

"If it's too much to handle, there are ways to find me. You can't tell me they couldn't find me."

Authorities said it's still unclear how the boy died. There were no signs of trauma on his body. Results from an autopsy are pending.

Isgrigg is at his parents' home in Arizona and is making arrangements to be in Dallas by Tuesday. If possible, he wants to take his boy's body back to Arizona.


Health problems

Gerren was born to Nyki Phillips and Isgrigg at Camp Lejeune, N.C., in September 2003. He was one month premature.

"He was fine for about a month," Isgrigg said. "He cried like a normal baby does, did everything a normal baby does. There was no sign of anything odd."

It wasn't long before the seizures started. At first, they were once or twice a week: Gerren's body would stiffen, his eyes would roll back into his head and he would stop breathing. Then they became an everyday occurrence. He also became blind, deaf and had no function of his arms or legs.

Doctors diagnosed Gerren as having West syndrome, a somewhat rare epileptic disorder in infants, Isgrigg said. Patrick Phillips said doctors told the family that Gerren would be lucky to live past the age of 4.

At birth, the umbilical cord was wrapped around Gerren's neck three times, which Isgrigg believes may have caused Gerren's medical condition.

Gerren wasn't even a year old when Isgrigg, a Marine, was deployed to the Iraq war, leaving his wife at home to care for their profoundly ill infant.

"The hardest thing I've ever had to do was leave him here," he said.

Isgrigg returned stateside in February 2005, but by then, the marriage was on the rocks and the couple soon separated. The couple divorced in 2006, and Nyki Phillips was awarded sole custody. By then, Isgrigg had taken a military job in California and Nyki Phillips had moved to Texas.

In 2007, he learned that his son was being cared for in the Truman Smith Children's Care Center in Gladewater, Texas. That June, he visited Gerren while he was in the hospital after having choked and nearly asphyxiated. Not long after, he said his ex-wife told him she had taken him out of Truman Smith and that her mother had moved to Texas to help take care of Gerren.

Isgrigg said he had a hard time keeping up with his ex-wife because she moved frequently. On an enlisted man's salary, he also didn't have the funds to track her down. He said he continued to send more than $700 a month to state child support authorities.

During their infrequent communications, he said, his ex-wife never let on that her parents were Gerren's sole caregivers and that she had moved to Oklahoma.

On Friday morning, sheriff's deputies showed up at Isgrigg's workplace on a Marine base in California asking questions. They showed him a photo of a frail boy found near a Collin County pond. He later realized he was looking at a photo of his dead son.

Later that night, he spoke to Nyki Phillips. He said she offered no explanation as to why her parents had Gerren.

"The only thing she said was, 'Thank you for not yelling at me,' " he said.

Nyki Phillips left Gerren at her parents' home three years ago, hoping that would buy her a few weeks to find other caretakers, Patrick Phillips said.

Despite Gerren's ailments, Patrick Phillips said his wife cared for Gerren meticulously since he was 3. She was up every night feeding him through his tube, medicating him and soothing him during seizures, Patrick Phillips said.


'She loved him'

"She's a loving mother, grandmother, not the monster she's portrayed as," the grandfather said. "She loved him. I think he lived longer because of the care she did give to him."

"If she thought for one lucid moment that Gerren was going to die she would've never left him out there. I know it looks bad, but it wasn't like she thought out, 'I'm going to kill Gerren.' "

On the morning of April 15, mowers discovered Gerren's body at the edge of a parking lot on federal land. Small for his age, he measured 39 inches tall and just 28 pounds. He remained unidentified for more than a week as investigators with the Wylie Police Department and the Collin County Child Abuse Task Force searched for clues to his past.

A tip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's hotline gave police the break they needed to track down his family. Isgrigg provided a DNA sample that confirmed Gerren's identity.

Later that day, investigators tracked down the grandparents.

"If you know my wife you'd know what an angel she is," Patrick Phillips said. "You can't care for somebody for three years and click," he said with a snap of his fingers, "you're going to kill him."

Phillips said he and his adult son are being evicted from their extended-stay hotel room in The Colony although he said he's paid up through next week. He said he thinks that the management is tired of the media trucks and television cameras there.

He's still in shock about how it all came to this. What he said he thought would be a blessing caring for Gerren has turned into a nightmare he can't wake up from.

"We always thought God had a purpose for Gerren being with us," Patrick Phillips said. "Then this happens?"

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/DN-gerrenfolo_26met.ART0.State.Edition2.d84278.html

This whole thing is perplexing.  So the grandmother admits she left him in that park hoping someone would find him??  How ridiculous, that makes absolutely no sense and when Gerren was first discovered I read in one of the articles that the area where he was found was not an area that was not used much by the public but rather an occasional fisherman.  I will have to read back and see if I can find that. 

Gerren's mother Nyki bothers me.  Like Wyks has asked was she receiving and keeping the child support that Gerren's father was paying for this child?  Was she the one who removed him from the care center and if so why?  For the money?  She has my antenna up.  I found a Nyki Phillips on Facebook in Nowhere, OK not sure if it is her, not much there but here is a link http://scaredmonkeys.net/index.php?action=post;topic=7609.80;num_replies=84 if this should not be posted then would a mod kindly remove it?

The other thing I am curious about and that is why were the grandparents living in a hotel?  Are they from this area?  Do they have a home somewhere?  If so where?  From what I read not much information about that except to say they abandoned their home?  So many questions.  What has me so disturbed is that this poor child was simply left to die, I hate to even think about what his last moments were like and how much he suffered, it makes me sick.  ::MonkeyNoNo::

Oh shoot I posted the wrong link to the Facebook page I found.  Here is the link;
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/profile.php?id=1167925806&v=wall&ref=search

In the article above, the bio father states

 ""If it's too much to handle, there are ways to find me. You can't tell me they couldn't find me."

and I would say, vise versa to the bio dad...he could have also found his child imo....

It sounds to me like it was just easier for the other family members to let things be...someone else was taking the responsibility of this little boy, as long as they are watching him, then I don't have to....type of thing...shame on all of them...This gramma was more than likely totally overwhelmed for the constant care of this little child...did any one of them offer to take the child for even a week to give this woman who was the child's caretaker a break? The gramma was totally wrong for what she did...but I think that she was desperate for some reprieve of her day to day care of Gerren...it is easy for all of them to say that they would have helped if only she would have asked them to...why didn't they get in touch with her to offer that help? if they could not reach these grand parents or the mother, did they contact authorities to check on the welfare of this child? so many questions...
There are resources available to caregivers, why didn't gramma reach out?? It did not have to end this way....

It was reported the family were in a house in Garland, TX, which is about 26 miles from The Colony.  I was asking some of the same questions.  It's all very curious, isn't it?

http://cbs11tv.com/local/wylie.child.identified.2.1653586.html

Here's where I was asking the same questions, and did a bit of research.
http://scaredmonkeys.net/index.php?topic=7609.msg1121438#msg1121438

http://www.wfaa.com/news/crime/Man-who-found-boys-body--91089234.html
WYLIE - The man whose employees found the body of a little boy in a Wylie park talked about the gruesome discovery Friday to WFAA.

Flowers, cards and teddy bears are now at the site where the body of the unidentified boy was found Thursday.

Gary Valentine said his workers were mowing in the area when they saw what looked like a human leg under a pile of brush. When Valentine arrived at the scene, he picked up what he thought was a small mannequin.

"I said a prayer and I knew I was at a crime scene, but I also knew I couldn't throw a child in a brush pile," he said. "So, I stepped across the fence, laid him down, looked back [and] saw a baby blanket [and] took it and covered up the baby and called 911." (snip)


http://abcnews.go.com/US/identity-year-boy-found-dead-texas/story?id=10425344&page=1
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children transformed police photographs from the crime scene into a digital composite of what they believe the boy looks like to try and draw the attention of someone who may know him.

"This is a lifelike image of the little boy that we believe is very close to what he looked like," said Ernie Allen, the president of the organization.

Authorities believe the little boy had only been dead a few days when his body was discovered. There were no obvious signs of trauma, either. A full autopsy report has not yet been released.

"There is somebody out there who misses this little guy," said Allen. "We hope this image will help answer some questions."

"And of course, we hope to help law enforcement determine who did this to him," Allen added.

Allen said that authorities have already received about 60 leads they are following up on, and realize that the child may not be from Texas, and could have just been dumped in the area.

"The way his body was disposed of is not a way we want any child to be disposed of," he said.

In some of the articles, it was reported Gerren's body was found near a "stagnant lake" or a "dingy lake". 
I'm going back to check some of the videos in the articles in this thread and see if I can find one that shows the area Gerren was found.  If Darlene Phillips had wanted Gerren to be found, why choose this place?  Why place a child that needed constant care in the elements?  Wild animals, fire ants, you name it are out there.  Besides the fact how long could Gerren survive without feeding?  I can't even go there.  Gerren was dumped imo.  I'm not sure if he was still alive when he was left, since we haven't been given that information that I can find.  It must be very difficult for caregivers.  I still see no reason to leave dump a child like Gerren was.  I had neighbors that cared for a child that was tube fed and could do nothing for herself, she had seizures and etc., and I know it was hard, so hard sometimes for them.  But they never dumped her.  Did Patrick or Darlene Phillips try to get help in caring for Gerren?  If not, WHY NOT?  It must have been hard for Darlene caring for Gerren, but ultimately, it was Gerren that suffered and Gerren that died.

It sure didn't Cookie and I agree that the other family members seemed to have detached completely from this child.  I wonder why the father did not have any type of custody and why the mother was given sole?  It begs the question can she be charged with neglect of any kind for removing him from the center and leaving him with her mother?  This is such a disturbing tragedy.

Thank you for the links Muffy  ::MonkeyAngel::  You are right it certainly is curious as to why they left their home, were they going to dump him and then leave the state?  I don't know but it doesn't make any sense to me at all.

Awww shoot I meant to say in my original post this park was not exactly a park with much traffic so to speak, just an occasional fisherman.  My bad I think I was only on my first cup of coffee when I posted but thank you for posting those links and the info Muffy - if she was wanting to place him somewhere where someone would find him it is my opinion that this was not the place to do it.  I don't get it.   ::MonkeyNoNo::

From what I've seen on the local Tv news, the area did look secluded, the man that found him & crew have been shown several times, and he walked back off the street (kind of similar to Caylee's site), quite overgrown, etc.. The locals set up a memorial at the site and as you've seen from the Newspaper articles it was very moving how the people came together over this little one.

Wylie’s Angel: Grandmother left note with body of 6-year-old Gerren Joseph Isgrigg
April 26, 3:31 PM
Wylie’s Angel: Grandmother left note with body of 6-year-old Gerren Joseph Isgrigg

According to an official affidavit, Gerren Joseph Isgrigg’s grandmother left a note with his body indicating his age and his health care needs.

Prior to identification, Gerren was nicknamed “Wylie’s Angel” by the community of Wylie, Tex. where his body was found on April 15 near Lavon Lake.

To see videos and photos regarding Gerren's case, click here.

The affidavit indicates that Darlene Phillips, 63, told authorities she left a note with Gerren that read, “I’m 6, I have seizures, I need medication and a feeding tube.” His small body was covered with a blanket, however, no note, paper, or any sort of medical supplies were found.

Darlene also told police she felt burdened by having to take care of her special needs grandson.

snipped..
http://www.examiner.com/x-1168-Crime-Examiner~y2010m4d26-Wylies-Angel-Grandmother-left-note-with-body-of-6yearold-Gerren-Joseph-Isgrigg

Gramma felt overwhelmed with caring for Gerren, and thought it was unfair her daughter left him in her care.  Gramma admitted to leaving the note, and removing the feeding tube just prior to leaving him there.

Reading the latest articles just makes me angrier, seems what they are all trying to do is make this tragedy understandable.  And I'm just not gonna understand it the way they seem to want us to.  The grandma and anyone else in the family trying to explain this just needs to STFU, in my opinion.   

The man who found Gerren:
"Gary Valentine said his workers were mowing in the area when they saw what looked like a human leg under a pile of brush."

Grandma says she put Gerren in the park hoping someone would find him.  Uh huh.  BS!!!!!!!  He was hidden under bushes.  No one was gonna walk by, and hear a child who was deaf and blind, who couldn't move, who had no way to yell for help much less run out and flag someone down.  Gerren was totally helpless. 

She also says she left a note.  Like that was gonna help???  She took out his feeding tube!  She forgot to mention what his name was, what her name is, where she could be contacted, and the reason why she was leaving him there. 

She needs to admit to everyone, that she took that feeding tube out, hid Gerren's helpless body under the bushes, hoped that if anyone DID find him in time that they wouldn't know who he was.  And if they didn't find him before he died, that they couldn't trace him back to her. 

She is a POS, in my opinion, and needs to hang for the murder of this precious boy. 

As other monkeys have said, this *could have* had such a different ending.  And how differently I would have been viewing her situation and her, had she actually asked for help rather than leaving Gerren all alone to die.  I could have understood had she asked for help, I could have empathized with how hard it all must have been.  I could have and bet most of you could have as well.  But not the way she dealt with the situation.  Damn liar.   

She could have called other family members or friends, she could have called for respite care for any length of time, she could have taken him back to the center, she could have taken him to a safe haven.  For pete's sake she even could have stuck him out in the front yard with a sign that said something like, "free to good home". 

But noooooooooooooo..... She sticks him under a pile of brush. 

POS  :smt097   :smt013   :smt091   :smt076  Good for nothing POS. 


End of rant.. sorry. 

http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local-beat/Wylies-Angels-Dad-Shocked-And-Angry-Over-Sons-Treatment-92064689.html
(2 videos in article at link)
"Wylie's Angel's" Dad Shocked, Angry Over Son's Treatment
April 26, 2010
(http://media.nbcdfw.com/images/410*307/gerren-joseph-isgrigg.jpg)


Sgt. Jerry Isgrigg learned on Friday his son had been the object of national attention after he was found dead near Lake Lavon on April 15.

He also learned his former mother-in-law, Darlene Phillips, 63, had been charged with murder in his son's death.

Dubbed "Wylie's Angel," police later identified the little boy who had been left for dead at in a field as Gerren Joseph Isgrigg, age 6.

In a phone interview, Isgrigg said he felt he had been cut out of his son's life after he divorced his wife, Nyki Phillips, in 2006. Isgrigg has seen Gerren only twice since 2005. He said he thought Gerren was in the care of his former wife.
I had no idea she had passed him off to her mom and dad," Isgrigg said.

Isgrigg said his son was born one month premature and shortly after was diagnosed with West Syndrome, a disorder that causes siezures.

He said he wasn't surprised police found his son weighing only 28 pounds. He said there was a very short time in Gerren's life when he drank from a bottle and knew how to swallow, but when he stopped doing that he was fed through a feeding tube.

Isgrigg said he was shocked and angry at what transpired.

"I don't understand how if a child is going downhill, you don't look into it, you don't go to a doctor. There is no excuse for that," he said.

His former mother-in-law is being held in a Collin County jail on a $500,000 bond.

Autopsy results are still pending.

good post Wykkers!

Wonderful post Wyks, you've put into words what we are all feeling, poor dear little guy.  Watching the Grandfather & Uncle making excuses for that woman, makes me even madder.  They were both there living in the same home, why didn't they get assistance if it had become too much for Granny?  All three should be held responsible!

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wylies-angels-grandmother-charged-murder-year-special-boy/story?id=1048101
(Video)
'Wylie's Angel's' Grandmother Charged With Murder of 6-Year-Old Special Needs Boy
Cops: Darlene Phillips Removed Gerren Isgrigg's Feeding Tube, Left Boy to Die
April 26, 2010

A 63-year-old woman has been charged with murder in the death of her 6-year-old grandson, who was found dead and severely malnourished last week near a North Texas lake.
The boy came to be known as "Wylie's Angel," as police in the Texas town of Wylie tried to identify the body.

Darlene Phillips, the boy's maternal grandmother and primary caregiver, was arrested Friday night.

She allegedly told police she left the boy, Gerren Joseph Isgrigg, a special needs child who received food through a feeding tube, in a park and had removed his feeding tube before abandoning him.

Phillips told investigators she left Gerren at the park on April 12 with a note that read: "I'm 6, I have seizures, I need medication and a feeding tube," according to the Dallas Morning News.

No note, medical supplies, or feeding tubes were found with the boy's body, which was discovered three days later by a landscaper mowing the grass, police said.

According to the arrest affidavit, Gerren, who family members said was completely mute and unable to move, was found in a pile of brush, covered by a blanket. The body would not have been visible from a nearby road, the affidavit said.    ::MonkeyNoNo::

Circumstances she was in control of led to his murder," Wylie police detective Venece Perepiczka told ABC News Austin, Texas, affiliate KVUE-TV.

Phillips was being held at the Collin County Detention Facility in McKinney, Texas, on $500,000 bail.
Phillips' husband, Patrick Phillips, told police that his wife had told the family she had given the boy to a social worker, according to the arrest affidavit.

Officials say that at 28 pounds, Gerren was half the average weight of a child his age. He was found with marks indicating he used a feeding tube, which suggest he had "significant medical needs," according to the Wylie, Texas, Police Department.

At first, police did not know who the boy was, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children created a composite image of the child, nicknamed "Wylie's Angel," in the hopes someone would come forward to identify him.

Police said a tip through the center's hotline led them to identify him as Gerren.

The boy's parents are separated. His father, U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Jerry Isgrigg, is stationed in California and his mother, Nyki Phillips, lives in Oklahoma.
Wylie's Angel' Grandmother Accused of Murder in Boy's Death

Jerry Isgrigg said he first learned of his son's death when investigators contacted him to request a DNA sample.

"I can't get my head around it, any way, shape or form," Isgrigg told ABC News affiliate KVUE.

Isrigg, who divorced the Gerren's mother in 2006, said he last saw his son in a hospital three years ago and was devastated to learn the boy had been left to die.
"I would have done anything to get him in a heartbeat if they would have called," he said.

Darlene Philips' son, the boy's uncle, defended the woman. The son, unidentified by KVUE, said his mother cared for the boy and intentionally left him someplace where he would be found.

"She left him some place where he would be found," the son said. "She fed him and everything. The kid was a complete vegetable the whole time before this. It's not like it's being portrayed."

Police are awaiting the results of an autopsy to determine the cause of Gerren's death, but have told reporters there were no signs of trauma.

I live near Wylie. The "park" where he was found is not a place where people come every day. I don't care what people say, I've been there. It's near Lake Lavon..lakes down here aren't just big old round things they have like tributaries?? Words are failing me..so it was like a small section of the lake that was stagnant.

She says she left him ALIVE 3!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! days before he was found?!?!?! OMG...F this B! seriously.

And they were totally planning on high tailing it. Why would you HIDE at a motel a few days before you're busted. Please.

Many of the tv reports have used the word emaciated. This is a harsh word. not underweight, not skinny, not thin but emaciated. I had a foster son who was underweight when I got him..just like long not as fat baby (he was 6 months). How long do you have to go without food to be emaciated?!?

If my husband came home and one of our cats was gone and he asked me where she was and I said oh..well I dropped her off at the pound. He'd totally question me and want to know details. Apparently not old gramps...

Ummm..and yea..let me tell you how FUMES were coming out of my ears to see that pos adult son of theirs (Gerren's Uncle) tell the news cameras "well she took care of him everyday, I mean he was a vegetable"

oh oh oh MYYYYYY god

Anyways, the point of this is for you monkeys that live in Texas, we are starting a petition to amend the Baby Moses law to include all children under 10 and all disabled minors. Who knows..but this kind of crap has to stop. We have to let these crazy ass women know that there are alternatives to just dumping or killing your kid if you're feeling burdened. I would have GLADLY made sure Gerren was taken care of.

so hop on over to facebook (Texas Monkeys) and join the group:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=114366891925284#!/group.php?gid=117037504990941 (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=114366891925284#!/group.php?gid=117037504990941)

if this is in violation of a scaredmonkeys rule, please forgive me. I'm not trying to be a pain or an idiot.

Oh p.s. I have learned alot from you guys over the past year or so I've been around (besides making people mad..lol) and I was able to calm myself by using some of those skills. researching and such. You guys are better than detectives.

AMEN Wyks. It is infuriating what she did to this poor defenseless child especially when she had many other options  ::MonkeyMad::

Thank you for the information Fishstickkitty.

Hey Fishstick!
your post is an interesting read...
3 days before he was found?? had not heard that one! My God...that makes this crime even more cruel and heinous...Who could do that to a child who is helpless...words fail me...

There are so many questions surrounding this case it has me wondering about Gerren's mother.  Why did she think it ok to leave this child with her elder mother?  Why if he had so many health issues wouldn't she want him in an environment where he would be cared for to handle all of his needs, he deserved to have what ever resources were available to treat him and his condition. I have to believe he would have received more care than what the grandmother was able to provide, children are stimulated by therapy and handling by those trained to do so.  And of course the big question is why didn't the grandmother seek help or contact her daughter and tell her he needed more than what she could give?  Something is not right here.  I was looking around and found who I believe is Gerren's mother on myspace, there are pictures of who I think is Gerren on there and she refers to him as her son, the pictures brought tears to my eyes he appears to be so healthy, I can't wrap my arms around this whole thing.  ::MonkeyNoNo::

http://www.myspace.com/124706313

could it be for the money that they state may or may not have provided for the care of this child? and if money was collected by the grand parents or the mother, why wasn't anyone ever sent out to check on the welfare of this child? besides getting child support for this child from the dad, mom or grand parents were perhaps collecting money for him....
I would be willing to bet that this little boy laid in a room all by himself for much of his life, being ignored..he was blind, deaf and mute (I think I read that he was mute) so who would have heard him if he was in pain or hungry or needed his pants changed? this is so tragic beyond words..this little boy should have been in a facility that would have cared for him, not locked away and ignored...poor little tyke..Everyone on both sides of his family should really be ashamed of themselves imo...

http://www.wfaa.com/news/Wylies-Angel-Abandoned-Three-Days-Prior-to-Discovery-92112514.html
(With video)
'Wylie's Angel' abandoned three days prior to discovery
April 26, 2010

WYLIE — An arrest warrant affidavit released Monday revealed that six-year-old Gerren Isgrigg was abandoned three days before his body was found in a park near Lavon Lake.

According to the affidavit,  Isgrigg's grandmother, 63-year-old Darlene Phillips, said she left the boy with a note stating, "I'm 6, I have seizures, I need medication and a feeding tube [sic]." Investigators never found that note.

Philips told investigators that she had "removed the feeding tube from the child prior to taking him to the park area." According to the family, Isgrigg was alive when she left.

Isgrigg suffered from West Syndrome, a rare epileptic disorder. The little boy was also deaf, blind and did not have control of his limbs. His body was found in a pile of brush and had been covered with a blanket. According to the affidavit, the child's body was not visible from the road.

It took days for the boy to be identified.

Gerren's mother, Nyki Phillips, had apparently left the boy with her parents three years ago. Darlene Phillips  is now in the Collin County Jail facing murder charges. She made a brief court appearance on Monday.

The dead child's father, Jerry Isgrigg, is a Marine and is stationed in California. He and Nyki Phillips divorced in 2006.

Jerry Isgrigg plans to travel to Texas this week to claim his son's body.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/localnews/columnists/jfloyd/stories/DN-floyd_27met.ART.State.
Dead boy's family could have gotten help
  April 27, 2010

It takes an awfully hard heart to look at Darlene Phillips' bleak, hollow-eyed mug shot and not feel a distant, feeble stirring of pity.

But I can't scare up much more than that, no matter how overburdened and wrung out and ill-used she might have felt.

Maybe she has supplied an explanation for why she left her severely disabled grandson near a lonely lakefront park – where he died alone – but she can't supply an excuse.

The sorry circle of adults in Gerren Isgrigg's life at least had options, limited as they were. For Gerren, a profoundly disabled boy whose dependence was absolute, there were none. Abandonment, for this child, automatically meant death.

"Stress does terrible things," said Phillips' husband, Patrick, who described his 63-year-old wife's endless caregiving duties. "If you know my wife, you'd know what an angel she is."

Maybe she was tired of being an "angel." Who could blame her?

She was left by default with the task of providing round-the-clock care for a little boy who posed the exhaustive demands of an infant, minus the rewards of watching him grow and develop.

Blind, deaf, unable to swallow and racked by seizures, Gerren had disabilities that would have stressed even the strongest, most resilient family.

And in the random dice roll by which fate so often assigns families to little babies, his luck was lousy. This family – splintered, peripatetic, estranged – did not rise to the task.

People who have followed this sad story have been trying to figure the algebra of blame apportionment. Certainly the boy's mother, who reportedly dumped him on her parents three years ago and then moved away, deserves some pretty severe scrutiny.

His father, a divorced and noncustodial dad who at least met his child-support obligations, is perhaps less culpable.

Still, he wasn't exactly keeping in touch – he hadn't visited the child since June 2007.

And Patrick Phillips comes across as shockingly naive in his blithe acceptance of his wife's explanation that she "took him to a social worker."

Later, his defensive characterization to a local television reporter of Gerren as "a complete vegetable" comes across as something worse.

No question, Darlene Phillips was dealt a poor hand, and for that, she deserves some basic human compassion.

Some elements of this dreadful story may well ring a familiar bell with families staggering beneath the weight of caring for a catastrophically ill relative, or with grandparents forced to become hands-on parents by the cavalier irresponsibility of their own grown children.

But no amount of desperation defends abandoning a disabled baby – "vegetable" or otherwise – with the inhumane callousness of dumping a dog that cannot be housebroken.

"If they had gotten into the system, there would have been services available," said Colleen Horton, an Austin-based policy expert for the disabled and mentally ill.

Horton was not familiar with Gerren's case, but she said the state has resources to help families with in-home feeding, bathing and respite care for severely disabled children.

Those who have dealt with the system, of course, know it can take a lot of patience and persistence to secure such services.

If it was simply too much for her, Darlene Phillips could have taken Gerren to a shelter, a hospital, even a fire station, for crying out loud.

She could have picked up the phone and called a church or child welfare. She could have tried to track down other relatives.

No matter how desperate her situation, she had options.

Gerren had none. His only option was to die.

Darlene Phillips story about leaving Gerren with a note where he could be found?  No way.  ::MonkeyNoNo::

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/DN-bodyfound_27met.ART.State.Edition2.3d9dc8.html
Authorities say boy lay hidden in Collin County park for three days
April 27, 2010

Gerren Isgrigg lay in an overgrowth of vines near a Collin County pond for three days before his body was found by a mowing crew April 15.

Blind, deaf and unable even to move on his own, he couldn't be seen from the road or a park area nearby, according to court documents obtained Monday. He was covered with a blanket.

Darlene Phillips, Gerren's grandmother and primary caretaker, told investigators she left Gerren at the park on April 12 with a note that read: "I'm 6, I have seizures, I need medication and a feeding tube."

No note was found with Gerren. Nor did investigators find any medical supplies, papers or feeding tubes.

Phillips, 63, told investigators she removed the feeding tube before leaving Gerren in the brush. She is in jail charged with murder.

Her husband, Patrick Phillips, said Monday that he couldn't understand why she took out the feeding tube, which is difficult to remove and requires medical personnel to reinsert.
    Why did she remove his feeding tube?  IMO she left him to die.  That would be besides the fact she left him under brush at a somewhat remote roadside park...and I'm of the opinion this is one of the factors that's going to help get a conviction.  Premeditated. 
"Something had to snap," he said. "She was just at the end of her emotional rope. ... I know in my heart she expected him to be found."

Gerren, who had a rare medical condition called West syndrome, couldn't care for himself. He was given medication twice a day for seizures.

The probable cause affidavit states that Phillips "intentionally or knowingly caused the death of [Gerren] by intentionally leaving the child in a place where the child was unlikely to be located," and because of his health issues, "he was unable to care for himself and died."

Darlene Phillips told authorities she thought she was being punished by the boy's mother by having to care for the child, who had the mental capacity of a 2-month-old, the affidavit states.

Patrick Phillips said the couple had infrequent contact with their daughter, Nyki Phillips, who left Gerren with them three years ago. He said they never heard from Gerren's father, Jerry Isgrigg.

"Neither showed any interest in Gerren," the child's grandfather said.

Wylie police and the Collin County Child Abuse Task Force worked for eight days to determine Gerren's identity once his body was found. They teamed up with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, whose forensic artists created an image of the boy that was distributed to news media and on fliers around town. A Facebook page dubbed "Wylie's Angel" grew to more than 44,000 members who spread the story around the globe.

A tip to the center's hotline Wednesday gave investigators the break they needed to identify Gerren. His parents were contacted Friday.

Jerry Isgrigg has said he thought his son was still with his ex-wife. He's been paying child support to her since their 2006 divorce. Patrick Phillips said he and his wife didn't get any money to care for Gerren.

Nyki Phillips, who lives in Oklahoma, could not be reached for comment.

Darlene Phillips declined an interview from the Collin County Jail, where she is being held on $500,000 bail.

Phillips said his wife worked as a caregiver at a 10-bed assisted living center in Arizona that used to be owned by their son.

Darlene Phillips is listed in bankruptcy filings as the owner of the center; her husband said she was only helping out with the loan. In recent years, he said, she's been caring for Gerren and helping to raise three other grandchildren, who range in age from 2 to 11. They moved away a few months ago.

Phillips said he and his wife talked about putting Gerren in some sort of assisted living center but decided against it.

"We were told he could die any day," he said. "My wife wanted him to live at home with family."
******************************************
Things are just not adding up here, imo. 

This article is two days old, but has a bit more information in it, so I'll post it. 

http://www.the33tv.com/news/kdaf-wylies-angel-suspect-husband-story,0,7880956.story
(video)
Arrest Warrant Affidavit Sheds Light on Death of 'Wylie's Angel'
Husband says Darlene Phillips is a caring, selfless person who made a "big mistake"
April 25, 2010

The husband of accused killer Darlene Phillips wants their family's story told and is asking the public to reserve judgment in the death of "Wylie's Angel."

It comes as the North Texas community continues to mourn the death of Gerren Isgrigg at a make-shift memorial. He was a 6-year old child they never knew, but nevertheless, resident Megan Chapman says, "It's just devastating."

Gerren's grandfather, who did know the boy and loved him, says he is living a nightmare. Patrick Phillips says, "They think she killed my grandson. She says she didn't. Just the uncertainty. Am I ever going to see my wife again out of jail? It's just terrible."

Darlene Phillips was arrested Friday at a hotel in The Colony. Wylie Police say the 63-year old, who was Gerren's primary caregiver, is being charged with murder. Detective Venece Perepiczka said Friday, "Circumstances she was in control of led to his murder."

Darlene Phillips is in the Collin County Detention Facility. Patrick Phillips visited her for the first time today and asked his wife of nearly 30-years what happened to their grandson. His body was found dumped in a Wylie Park April 15th. Patrick Phillips says, "She fed him, gave him his medicine, got in the car and started driving around, found a good place she thought he'd be found right away and she took him out of the car and left him there."  What about the part where she removed his feeding tube and put him under vines and brush?

The big question, of course, is why.

"I don't know," Phillips said. "She couldn't tell me why."

Mr. Phillips said he thinks it was the emotional stress of taking care of her terminally ill grandson for the past three-years. It's something his parents couldn't do. Gerren didn't talk, couldn't move and had seizures daily.

Patrick Phillips says, "I mean she loved taking care of him. She took great care of him. I mean and it was 24-hour a day care. She'd get up in the middle of the night to reposition him after a particular bad seizure because he would get in a position where he couldn't breathe and you could hear him laboring to breathe and she had like radar."

Phillips is firm in his belief that his wife left Gerren alive and unhurt. He's asking everyone to wait for the facts. Patrick Phillips says, "People only hear what the police are saying and what the end result was. They didn't see the last three-years of her devotion to that boy. I did."

Patrick Phillips says he thought Gerren had been taken to a social worker. His wife didn't tell him or anybody else what she was doing. Darlene Phillips is being held on $500,000 bond.

I agree Muffy, things just aren't adding up.  ::MonkeyNoNo::

As I've been reading through the articles in this thread, I notice Patrick Phillips talks about how his wife Darlene took such good care of Gerren, tending him 24 hours/around the clock.  But I don't see any place at all, not one time that he talks about how HE helped tend Gerren.  Did he ever lend a hand with his care?  Maybe he did and it's just not being discussed, since the focus right now seems to be on why Darlene removed Gerren's feeding tube and left him hidden under brush in a rather remote roadside park for three days before he was found... And I find it interesting, as has another poster in here how, when Darlene says she left Gerren with a social worker, that was just accepted.  No more questions?  You've had the boy three years, one day all the sudden he's just given to a social worker?  No more details?  Would that sort of be like giving away an old couch or chair?  JMHO

Patrick Phillips has talked about how worn out Darlene was, but I've never, ever seen anything YET that says he did anything to help her or help Gerren, such as getting help.  Supposedly they discussed putting Gerren in a sort of home, but Darlene wanted to keep him so he could die at home and it was said he could die anytime.   Well, he didn't die at home.  Instead he died a slow death all alone at a roadside covered with vines, blind, deaf, helpless with his feeding tube removed.   ::MonkeyMad:: 

It seems to me there are a number of adults in the life of Gerren that failed him, due to their own selfish pursuits. Not only did Gerren fall through the cracks, he paid for it with his life.  Yes, I understand it can be difficult like when his mother moved out of state, but she HAD to have had an address to keep receiving monthly child support?   Where did the money go? There had to be some way to track her.  And Gerren's dad?  With all due respect for his serving our country in the middle east, how much would it have taken to do a bit of follow up?  Seems everyone thought everyone else was minding the shop (Gerren).   Was it a case of out of sight, out of mind when it came to Gerren?  Is that how it was?  My intent isn't to just finger point, but asking how this happened?  How did it all get to the point Gerren was left to die at the roadside?  And all of this is all IMHO.  Maybe there will be more answers but I'm afraid it's going to sound worse, and not better.  Again imho.

excellent post Muffers! summed up my thoughts to a T...

If my above post seems harsh, I hope everyone will understand I was thinking of Gerren.  He had no control over his life.  He could do nothing for himself.  He depended on others for all of his needs.  And it would have taken only one (1) person to make a difference for him, not only for the quality of his life but whether he lived or he died.  And how he lived and how he died.  It appears Gerren's daddy did send monthly child support for his disabled son and he says he didn't know of the situation.  That's really sad for him, especially if he thought Gerren was being cared for and the money he sent wasn't being used for his son's care.  The path seems to go to Gerren's mother.  Was she receiving monthly payments for Gerren's care and not using it for that?  Why was Garren taken out of the care facility by Darlene Phillips?

I will second that.  So many failed this little boy, they are heartless and selfish IMO.  I can't help but ask myself wouldn't it have been so much easier for the grandmother to call for help and put him in the care of the proper people than it was to leave him to die in those bushes in a park???  Good Lord how could she have felt good about what she did?  Didn't it bother her that he lay there struggling for his life?  There is more to this than meets the eye I tell ya.  ::MonkeyMad::

Well darn it I lost my reply. I have more questions than answers in regards to little Gerren. I think all the adults in Gerrens life failed him. From his parents, grand parents and the social service people and doctors who were over seeing his care. How did the mother take him out of the hospital and not have any follow up at all from any one!

IMO How does a father not see his son for three years. Especially him being in the condition he was in. Maybe he did call the ex and family and check up on Gerren I don't know. Like everyone else why  wasn't there any help ask for. Why just put him out in the elements to die. It breaks my heart every time I read about how his life ended. I agree Muffy they need to look at this women who was Gerrens mother.

All I can say is Thank God he is in the Heavenly Fathers arms and has no pain and his happy and filled with Love. 

I wish he was born to me.

RIP sweet boy, I am sorry those who were supposed to love you, care for you, charish you failed you. You are at peace now. Fly with the angels little one

Great posts all! I totally agree with your statements.  If the grandmother really wanted to help her grandson, then why didn't she drop him off at a police station, a hospital, etc. The article states The grandmother and grandfather thought about bringing him to an assited living care facility but changed their mind because they wanted him to die at home. The little angel died alone and cold in a park hidden from view. :sad: I have a friend that adopts developmentally challenged children, and she has caretakers come in a few times a week to help out. This is paid through the state or social services. Children with these challenges also qualify for day support services. Gerren was eligible to go to a day program regardless of the severity of his challenges. This grandmother worked in the system and knew the system, she could have gotten help but chose not to. If she wanted her grandson to live why did she take out the feeding tube? What about the uncle and grandfather not identifying this little boy when it was all over the news in the beginning!!!! There is no excuse for what was done to little Gerren.  nope none! ::MonkeyNoNo::

I am really thinking that it came down to money for the mother...she was collecting the child support, probably getting state aid for her child that she did not even take care of...the bio mom was probably sending the gramma a portion of money that she was collecting for this little child...
if she is/was collecting money from the state, was this child not required to be seen by a doctor regularly? or seen to have gotten his "food" that was given to him through a feeding tube? is that through prescription or not? so many loop holes that this little child fell between..bottom line...no one cared enough about Gerren to check on his welfare...Did the other grand parents ever think that they should take a road trip to go visit their grand son? must not have...sad sad sad....

agreed 100%

(BBM)

(snip)
Jerry Isgrigg has said he thought his son was still with his ex-wife. He's been paying child support to her since their 2006 divorce. Patrick Phillips said he and his wife didn't get any money to care for Gerren.
(snip)
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/DN-bodyfound_27met.ART.State.Edition2.3d9dc8.html

I noticed this and wondered about it:


http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/DN-bodyfound_27met.ART.State.Edition2.3d9dc8.html
(snip)
In recent years, he said, she's been caring for Gerren and helping to raise three other grandchildren, who range in age from 2 to 11. They moved away a few months ago.
(snip)

What's the story about the three other grandchildren?  :2thinky:

This makes no sense they were helping with the other grand children while taking care of Gerren also. And they just moved away a few months ago.  Where did the other grand children go and where were the parents of these children. That not one adult thought to seek help in caring for Gerren? Why did you leave your home after years of living there?  Like I said just more questions.

I'm with Green Eyes - just more questions.  Are all of their children neglectful and leave their children with the grandparents to raise?  WTH is up with that?

That's it Mission.  In all of this nothing about his bio mom, nothing on why see gave them Gerren to take care of what she has been doing for the last 3 and half years or about any of the rest of the family.

yeah..what happened to the other grand kids??? 

http://www.dentonrc.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/042410dnmetwyliesangel.27903b5a7.html
(snip)
 Linda Isgrigg said her son was making regular child support payments to his ex-wife and thought Gerren was still living with her. He was the couple's only child together. She believed the marriage ended over Gerren's medical problems.

Her son saw Gerren when he could, she said, but it was infrequent because he was in the military.

A staff sergeant in the Marines, Jerry Isgrigg recently returned from a brief tour in Korea, Linda Isgrigg said. He served in the Persian Gulf War, left the military for about a decade, then re-enlisted and served in the Iraq war. He is stationed at the Marine base in Twentynine Palms, Calif.

Jerry Isgrigg was at his parents' home in Arizona on Saturday and making plans to come to Texas, his mother said. He declined to comment.

Linda Isgrigg said she didn't know when her son last saw Gerren, but she knew that it had been a while.

"He was always concerned" about Gerren's well-being, she said.

Isgrigg said that at one point Gerren was staying at the Truman Smith Children's Care Center in Gladewater, Texas, but she wasn't sure for how long. Officials at the nursing home declined to comment, citing health-care privacy laws.

"I called one day to check to see how he was, and they said that he wasn't there," Isgrigg said. "I said let me talk to the nurse, and they said that he wasn't there anymore, that she [his mother] came and got him."

Isgrigg said she last saw Gerren about two years ago.

"I don't understand why didn't they just contact somebody and say, ‘I can't handle this. Will you please take him?' Or call his dad," Linda Isgrigg said. "These children do not have a voice."

It's pure starvation that causes someone to become emaciated, IMO. 

I checked around on the net and found this info:

*A malnourished person without much body fat and muscles (emaciation) can die within a few days with no food/water. 

*If a well-nourished person has water but no food, they typically can survive up to 2 months or so.  But without food and water, only about 2 weeks. 

*Death after discontinuation of artificial feeding in terminally ill patients in hospitals typically occurs between 10 and 14 days. 


Gerren had been so malnourished prior to his death, he was emaciated.  (starved)...... It takes a period of time of being malnourished to become emaciated.  (The body lives for awhile from stored fat for energy, then from muscles.  Then emaciation sets in.  Then heart attacks can occur, loss of consciousness, etc.)  I doubt that he had been to see a doctor/nurse for quite a long time, or his being so emaciated would have caused an alert.  Am wondering how long he had been emaciated????? 

I'm thinking that scenario #1 above is what happened, he was malnourished and emaciated, she removed his feeding tube and hid him in the bushes, where he died within a few days.  Very likely just prior to being discovered.  Either that or she had removed that tube at home and he died before she even took him out there. 

Either way, he had already been starved, and removing his feeding tube ensured his death.   Hence, the murder charge.  IMO.   

I don't buy for a minute Gerren's grandpa and uncle saying how 'well' she took care of him.  If she had, he wouldn't have been emaciated.  He wouldn't even have been malnourished.  She starved that boy, and her family cannot say a damn thing that would convince me otherwise. 

The only experience I have had with emaciation is a dog I used to have many many years ago.  I went thru a divorce, and moved back to my childhood town.  Couldn't bring my dog yet cuz my uncle was a trucker, was going thru my previous town and would pick her up and bring her to me at that time.  In the meantime she stayed with my ex, who promised to feed her.  Yeah right.  I was stupid to have believed him.  He must not have fed her one kibble in 4 weeks, cuz when my uncle brought her to me, she had lost HALF her weight.  HALF.  In 4 weeks.  She was a standard size doxie who did weigh about 25 lbs, then only weighing about 12 lbs.  Her lil ribs were sticking out all over, the vet said emaciation.  Luckily, with a great deal of care and tons of kibble and love, she regained her weight and health. 

Just saying this to say how quickly a dog can get emaciated.  I'm not sure how soon it would take for a human.  Likely about the same amount of time I'd think. 

Several good comments below this article:

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/localnews/columnists/jfloyd/stories/DN-floyd_27met.ART.State.Edition2.3f26f5.html (http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/localnews/columnists/jfloyd/stories/DN-floyd_27met.ART.State.Edition2.3f26f5.html)

Evidently, according to Texas law???, no child over the age of 60 days can be left at a safe haven.  ???  If an older child is left at say a hospital or fire station etc, and the caregiver found, they would be charged with abandonment. 

If that's true... then Darlene still had the option of possibly facing an abandonment charge, rather than a murder charge.  And Gerren would still be alive.   ::MonkeyMad::

Also, if that's true, am thinking that every state needs to change the law to an older age. 

IMO.

I'd like to know the story about them as well.  Starting with.. where are they???  When the Phillips home was surrounded by police, neighbors told them the Phillips had left a few days (week?) earlier, abandoning the home.  (They were then found at that motel near Dallas). 

But those neighbors also reported that no other children besides Gerren lived with the Phillips.  They didn't mention that any other children had ever lived with them.  Sooooooo... where are these other grandchildren?   Did they really move away?  Are they alive and being care for by... someone??  ::MonkeyEek:: 

Great posts by everyone!  Y'all are saying exactly how I feel too! 

One of the news articles says that Gerren's father is on his way to TX to receive the body of his son.   ::MonkeyNoNo::  Ought not be, IMO.  He hasn't seen that boy in three years, seemingly washed his hands of him back then.  Only reason IMO that he has been paying child support is cuz the Marine Corps demands it, taking it straight from his pay without him ever seeing it.  He, nor his own family, seems to have been interested enough in Gerren to check up on his welfare, or the welfare (including energy levels and emotional status) of his supposed caregivers.   IMO they lost their right to Gerren wayyyyyyyyyyyyy back when they seemingly turned their backs on him.  And IMO, they don't deserve to receive his body now. 

And I won't get started on what I think of Gerren's mother.  Abandoning her disabled son with her elderly parents??  How could she??  It seems that she raises horses out in Okla. now.  Poor horses.  Someone needs to check in on how well they are being cared for. 

The folks in Wylie, TX ought to be able to go ahead with their plans to lovingly lay Gerren's body to rest.  IMO they've shown him more love than he has likely ever had while alive. 

Gerren is 'Wylie's Angel', and IMO ought to remain so. 

Still learning how to bring over a video, hope this actually works.

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ok, that wasn't the right way, sorry.......

Good find!!  Pics at this news article confirm that you found Nyki's myspace.  They have two of the same pics as that myspace. 

http://www.wfaa.com/news/Wylies-Angel-Abandoned-Three-Days-Prior-to-Discovery-92112514.html (http://www.wfaa.com/news/Wylies-Angel-Abandoned-Three-Days-Prior-to-Discovery-92112514.html)



Gerren

(http://i439.photobucket.com/albums/qq117/Wyks_/Gerren/Gerren.jpg)



Gerren's mother, Nyki

(http://i439.photobucket.com/albums/qq117/Wyks_/Gerren/Nyki.jpg)

http://www.myfoxdfw.com/dpp/news/042610-grandma-left-note-with-boy-affadavit (http://www.myfoxdfw.com/dpp/news/042610-grandma-left-note-with-boy-affadavit)

<snipped>

Darlene Phillips' husband, Patrick, told officers that the child had been living with them until about two weeks before. He said Darlene told him she'd given Gerren to a social worker, according to the affidavit.

Darlene Phillips told police the little boy had the mental capacity of a 2-month-old baby.

~~~~~

Patrick refers to his grandson as "the child".    ::MonkeyNoNo::


So according to Patrick, Gerren had been living with them until about two weeks before. 

Gerren was found in the park on April 15.

Darlene says in her affadavit that she left Gerren in the park on April 12.

That's three days, where was Gerren for the remainder of that two weeks? 
 
 ::MonkeyEek::   ::MonkeyShocked::

Darlene Phillips - the *cough* "caregiver"

(http://i439.photobucket.com/albums/qq117/Wyks_/Gerren/darlene_phillips.jpg)

Imagine how terrified this child was during the time it took him to die...  ::MonkeyNoNo::  ::MonkeyMad::

April 27, 2010 Tuesday
EDITION1
  THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS
 
Authorities say boy lay hidden for 3 days  

Gerren Isgrigg lay in an overgrowth of vines near a Collin County pond for three days before his body was found by a mowing crew April 15.

Blind, deaf and unable even to move on his own, he couldn't be seen from the road or a park area nearby, according to court documents obtained Monday. He was covered with a blanket.

Darlene Phillips, Gerren's grandmother and primary caretaker, told investigators she left Gerren at the park on April 12 with a note that read: "I'm 6, I have seizures, I need medication and a feeding tube."

No note was found with Gerren. Nor did investigators find any medical supplies, papers or feeding tubes.

Phillips, 63, told investigators she removed the feeding tube before leaving Gerren in the brush. She is in jail charged with murder.

Her husband, Patrick Phillips, said Monday that he couldn't understand why she took out the feeding tube, which is difficult to remove and requires medical personnel to reinsert.

"Something had to snap," he said. "She was just at the end of her emotional rope. ... I know in my heart she expected him to be found."

Gerren, who had a rare medical condition called West syndrome, couldn't care for himself. He was given medication twice a day for seizures.

The probable cause affidavit states that Phillips "intentionally or knowingly caused the death of [Gerren] by intentionally leaving the child in a place where the child was unlikely to be located," and because of his health issues, "he was unable to care for himself and died."

Darlene Phillips told authorities she thought she was being punished by the boy's mother by having to care for the child, who had the mental capacity of a 2-month-old, the affidavit states.

Patrick Phillips said the couple had infrequent contact with their daughter, Nyki Phillips, who left Gerren with them three years ago. He said they never heard from Gerren's father, Jerry Isgrigg.

"Neither showed any interest in Gerren," the child's grandfather said.

Wylie police and the Collin County Child Abuse Task Force worked for eight days to determine Gerren's identity once his body was found. They teamed up with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, whose forensic artists created an image of the boy that was distributed to news media and on fliers around town. A Facebook page dubbed "Wylie's Angel" grew to more than 44,000 members who spread the story around the globe.

A tip to the center's hotline Wednesday gave investigators the break they needed to identify Gerren. His parents were contacted Friday.

Jerry Isgrigg has said he thought his son was still with his ex-wife. He's been paying child support to her since their 2006 divorce. Patrick Phillips said he and his wife didn't get any money to care for Gerren.

Nyki Phillips, who lives in Oklahoma, could not be reached for comment.

Darlene Phillips declined an interview from the Collin County Jail, where she is being held on $500,000 bail.

Phillips said his wife worked as a caregiver at a 10-bed assisted living center in Arizona that used to be owned by their son.

Darlene Phillips is listed in bankruptcy filings as the owner of the center; her husband said she was only helping out with the loan. In recent years, he said, she's been caring for Gerren and helping to raise three other grandchildren, who range in age from 2 to 11. They moved away a few months ago.

Phillips said he and his wife talked about putting Gerren in some sort of assisted living center but decided against it.

"We were told he could die any day," he said. "My wife wanted him to live at home with family." 
http://www6.lexisnexis.com/publisher/EndUser?Action=UserDisplayFullDocument&orgId=574&topicId=100020825&docId=l:1175719048&start=10

great posts everyone...my thoughts and feelings on this seem to reflect many of yours...
poor little boy...he must have had a very sad existence ....no excuse for it in my opinion...

Thanks every one for all the up dates and links. I read them and still can't understand why this happened to Gerren. I still question why nothing from the bio mom. Why nothing from any doctors. They say Gerren had to be given seizure medication how did they get it with out a doctor seeing him??

The grandfather said they had thought about placing him in a health facility but figured he wasn't going to live much longer and the grandmother wanted him to pass at home with family. But then see takes him out in the middle of no where and dumps him to be found, but she takes his feeding tube out. This makes no sense at all. The uncle & grandfather states she took good care of him. Not that they all took care of him. So what were they all doing during this 3 years plus they had Gerren.

I was again think they all failed Gerren. From the father & mother all the way down the line. I am so sick at heart over this. I feel they all should be charged in the death of this helpless little child.

They just covered this on HLN.  I hope it is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.  I was sickened by what an uncle had to say.  He seemed to minimize the child by saying he was basically just a vegetable anyway.  Dear God in heaven, what has our society come to? ::MonkeyMad::

BBM
OMGosh  ::MonkeyNoNo:: 

Local news tonight said that little Gerrens body had been turned over to a funeral home locally. That his father and his grandmother where in the area. That they had spoken with the mother and she and ex where working together to make the arrangements for Gerren's funeral.

Thank you for the update Green Eyes.  It looks like the adults that were in Gerren's life are finally getting together and communicating.  It's just too bad they aren't working together to make a plan for his care, but instead are working together to plan his funeral.  It didn't have to be this way.  JMHO 

It is such a shame that of all people a family member would have this mentality.  Makes me sick.  ::MonkeyNoNo::

Investigation Into Death of Wylie's Angel Turns to Mother

By RANDY MCILWAIN
Updated 8:11 PM CDT, Wed, Apr 28, 2010

Investigators say additional charges may be filed in the death of "Wylie's Angel," the 6-year-old boy whose body was found near Lavon Lake.

Darlene Phillips, the boy's maternal grandmother, is charged with murder in Gerren Isgrigg's death. She is accused of abandoning him in Eastfork Park two weeks ago.

Wylie police say the investigation into his death is ongoing. Investigators are now looking into how he came to live with his grandmother.

Police said they have not found legal documentation that indicates Phillips was the boy's legal guardian. Investigators said they believe his mother, Nyki Phillips, was still his legal guardian.

Her former husband, a Marine stationed in California, did not have custody of the boy and had not seen him in three years.

Nyki Phillips, who lives in Oklahoma, had not seen her son in three months, police said. Police are investigating the lack of contact and looking into what, if any, communication she had with her mother about the boy's care.

Investigators with Child Protective Services say a criminal charge of neglect can be made any time a child is left in an unsafe environment or a place where his or her needs cannot be met.

Isgrigg had severe developmental and medical challenges and required a feeding tube. At age 6, he was not much bigger than a toddler.

Phillips reportedly has professional experience in caring for people with special needs, but investigators said that does not mean she was willing or able to care for the child.

Police said parents or legal guardians cannot legally leave their child with a loved one for an extended period of time if there are reasonable concerns for the child's safety or care.

http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local-beat/Investigation-Into-Death-of-Wylies-Angel-Turns-to-Mother-92357614.html

I agree MuffyBee which makes me wonder what if any resources financially and legally were available to Gerren through his grandmother. If she didn't have custody of this child or power of attorney she was more than likely not able to place the child in a facility (if in fact that was ever her desire) she had no legal stand to make medical decisions for Gerren.  What in the world was this family thinking?  What was this mother thinking?   ::MonkeyMad::

Just on the local news, looks as if they are going after the mother of Gerren, LE saying more charges soon in the case.

BBM

Okay, I'm wondering now about the other grandchildren the Phillips's were helping raise, and in another article it was said the grandchildren had left a couple/few months previous.  Did Gerren's mother come and take the other children?  The article says Gerren's mother last saw  him three (3) months ago.  I don't think that's a coincidence. 

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/DN-bodyfound_27met.ART.State.Edition2.3d9dc8.html
(snip)
In recent years, he said, she's been caring for Gerren and helping to raise three other grandchildren, who range in age from 2 to 11. They moved away a few months ago.
(snip)

What's the story about the three other grandchildren?  I think we're about to find out about this and more.  JMHO  Remember though, it was said Gerren was the only child that was born between his mother and Isgiggs.  Are these other grandchildren Patrick and Darlene Phillips were helping to raise Gerren's half siblings? 

http://www.examiner.com/x-1168-Crime-Examiner~y2010m4d28-Wylies-Angel-news-6yearold-Gerren-Joseph-Isgrigg-was-alive-when-abandoned-by-grandmother-video
(video) Also link to see Darlene Phillips Arrest Warrant in this article.

Wylie’s Angel news: 6-year-old Gerren Joseph Isgrigg was alive when abandoned by grandmother (video)
April 28, 2010

Wylie’s Angel news: 6-year-old Gerren Joseph Isgrigg was alive when abandoned by grandmother (video)

The little boy nicknamed “Wylie’s Angel” by the local community in which he was found, was abandoned alive near Lavon Lake in Wylie, Tex. according to recent reports.

His grandmother, Darlene Phillips, 63, admitted to leaving the 6-year-old alone at the location on April 12, however, she claims she hoped someone would find him alive. She removed his feeding tube prior to placing him near the lake and says she left a note saying the boy has seizures and needs medication.

Investigators report a note was never found and Gerren was covered with a blanket. His body was discovered April 15.
Darlene and her husband had been taking care of Gerren for three years after his mother, Nyki Phillips left him in their care.

Darlene has been charged with Gerren’s murder and now sits in the Collin County jail on a $500,000 bond.
Gerren’s father, Jerry Isgrigg, a Marine stationed in California, plans to claim the boy’s body sometime this week. He and Nyki divorced in 2006.

Muffy I hope you are right and there are some answers to the many questions we have on how & why this happened to Gerren.

Babskat I saw that too about maybe more charges.  They said the mother hadn't seen Gerren in 3 months yet the grandmother, grandfather and uncle said they hadn't seen her in 3 years. Which one is it?

Thank you for the updates everyone.  Green Eyes that is a good question, my intuition tells me the mother is lying and it has been 3 years.  Interesting how she says 3 months and I believe the law in Texas says after 4 months of not seeing or caring for your own child it is considered abandonment - convenient she says 3 which is one month short of her breaking the law.  I have a feeling we will learn a lot more in the coming days about this woman  ::MonkeyNoNo::

The timing is interesting indeed, I wonder how many siblings Nyki Phillips has?  Could it be one of their children?  Did Nyki have children before her marriage to Gerren's father and more after the divorce?  If they range from 2-11 the 11 year old would have been born 5 years prior to Gerren.  So many questions. To few answers surrounding this family.

Father of Wylie's Angel Speaks Out
Gerren Isgrigg's Father says he's "numb"

Giselle Phelps The 33 News

April 29, 2010
 COLLIN COUNTY, TEXAS - The biological parents of the little boy known as Wylie's Angel are both now in the Dallas area. They're working to finalize funeral arrangements for the boy. Many people have lots of questions for the both of them.

The man who fathered Gerren Joseph Isgrigg, is Staff Sergeant Jerry Isgrigg; a Marine who says he's heartbroken.

"I'm just completely numb. Not knowing what to feel about the events that have taken place," said Jerry Isgrigg.

Isgrigg still can't believe Gerren died near East Fork Park in Wylie. A place where he was left by his maternal grandmother, Darlene Phillips, who's been charged with murder.

Gerren's mother, Nyki Phillips, had left her son with her parents and did not see him regularly.

"I don't know the frame of mind of my ex-wife, obviously, I know she's grieving as well," said Isgrigg.

Isgrigg was also estranged from his son. A child he says had a rare epileptic disorder. We asked him why he hadn't seen his son in three years.

"Answering a question like that, everyone's going to have their own opinion. Me being in the military, being deployed, constantly being in the field, at times lack of money to get out there," he said.

Isgrigg and his ex-wife are now finalizing funeral arrangements. He says he intends to bury Gerren in Arizona where his family lives.

He also says he's in awe when he thinks about everything the community has done. He wants to organize a public memorial to include the people of Wylie.

"I don't want to just walk into town and then, you know, finalize funeral services and then walk of town with Gerren and not acknowledge the town itself in some manner," says Isgrigg.

He expects Gerren's body to be released soon.

http://www.the33tv.com/news/kdaf-wylies-angel-dad-speaks-story,0,1647958.story

Video

Father of Wylie's Angel Speaks Out
Gerren Isgrigg's Father says he's "numb"

http://www.the33tv.com/news/kdaf-wylies-angel-dad-speaks-story,0,1647958.story

I hate to be hard on the guy (not really..but it's nicer to say that) but this dude is saying it was the military's fault he didn't get to see his son. I call bunk on this. He didn't want to. I know of MANY fathers who's baby mamas have said you will never see this kid..and they fought..and fought hard..and got to see their kids.

maybe it's something with sole custody? I guess that makes him not responsible?!? I don't know..it's just really sad. I'm not saying he's responsible for this baby's murder but he could have seen his child if he wanted. I'm sure of it. How much is a bus ticket from California to Dallas or from Arizona to Dallas?

Awwww heck.. go ahead and be hard on the guy.   ::MonkeyHaHa::

Reason is... he's full of it! 

I was in the Marine Corps, stationed in both Camp Pendleton and Barstow as well.  Barstow is near 29 Palms where this dude is stationed.  So I KNOW what I know what I know, that he is trying to pull one over on everyone who isn't familiar with the Marine Corps or other military. 

My point being is that *he could have* taken a military hop, FREE of charge to the military, at ANY time he wanted to and when space was available, from Cali to Dallas (or the nearest base).  Free, free, free, free, did I mention ... free?? 

Had he needed a certain flight at a certain time, on a certain day, he *could have* worn his uniform and gotten a military reduction in travel rates. 

Mr daddy-o isn't gettin away with his crap, not with me.  He could have gone to see his son EVERY weekend he was home in Cali. pfffffffffffffft. 

Makes me sick that he is one of our own, semper fidelis (always faithful), jarhead, leatherneck, first to fight, proud to serve, leader at home and in the community, the proud.. the few.. the Marines.  He ought, IMO, to hang his head in shame and crawl back into the hole he's been hiding in. 

There, I said it. 
 

P.S. to my last post:

Dude is a Staff Sargeant, E-5.  He makes about $2500.oo per month.  Per month!!  And that's not even including his re-enlistment bonus and combat pay.  He gets all medical/dental for free.  If he lives on base, then his housing is free, three meals a day in the 'mess hall' is free. 

Dunno how much was being taken out of his pay for child support, but am quite sure there was plenty left over after that. 

He needs to sit down and STFU before he hurts himself.. And quit play-acting the poverty-sticken, over-worked, broken-hearted daddy.  IMO. 
 

 

edit... I was so mad typing I didn't even notice I put E-5.  lolol  He is an E-6.  Time for me to go to bed!! 

I agree with you all about the dad finding excuses why he couldn't go see his son. If he had wanted to he would have found a way. Yes he should have been in contact and checking up on his sons care even if he wouldn't go see him. With that said how about the mother. In my book she is worse than the father by ten fold. She just dumps him on the grandmother and goes her merry way working with her horses. There is something wrong with that picture. I understand that Gerren was in need of 24/7 care and being single parent you would need help. But you can't tell me that there was no help available to her in OK. BS. So why did she dump him on her parents? She couldn't be bothered to even keep in contract with her parents to see how he was doing. There is something wrong with this. I hope the local LE go after her for his death as well. Once again how did they get his medication without seeing a doctor in Texas for 3 1/2 years.  So many questions on how this could happen.

egads, he just did an interview on wfaa.com and he said he hasn't EVEN broken down yet. This dude now has officially 0% of my sympathy.

egrrrrrrrrrrrr ::MonkeyMad::

Dad of 'Wylie's Angel' speaks out - Video Interview

by MONIKA DIAZ
WFAA
Posted on April 30, 2010 at 6:41 PM
Updated today at 6:52 PM

WYLIE - While police say a grandmother abandoned her six-year-old grandson known as "Wylie's Angel" on April 15 near Lake Lavon, the boy's father had no idea what was going on.

Staff Sgt. Jerry Isgrigg was away in California, serving in the military. Friday, he was in North Texas working on services for his son.

Isgrigg said he knew his son's life would be short, but he never thought Gerren's life would end the way it did in a field near Lake Lavon.

"I haven't broke down, and it's going to come and it's going to come like a flood," he said. "Obviously, the anguish, the sorrow, the
anger."

For Isgrigg, a Marine, the toughest moment was seeing his son at the Medical Examiner's Office.

"It was the hardest thing I ever had to do," he said.

It was the first time he had seen him in three years.
   
"I pulled on his hand as tiny as it was," Isgrigg said. "It's the last time I will hold his hand. I gave him a kiss goodbye."

Isgrigg's former mother-in-law, Darlene Phillips, is behind bars and faces murder charges. He said when he met Phillips the first time, she spoiled her grandson. He said he now wants to know what happened.

"If anybody says, 'Hey, we just can't deal with this anymore,' anybody could have called," Isgrigg said.

While he was left with more questions than answers, he said he has found comfort and support in the town that has embraced his son.

"What do you say to a town that put its heart and soul into a child, a total strange," Isgrigg said. "I now consider Wylie my home."

There will be a memorial service for Wylie's Angel at 7 p.m. Monday at the First Baptist Church of Wylie. Gerren is expected to buried in Arizona.

Phillips is jailed on a murder charge. Documents say she hid the child under a blanket with a note about his condition three days before a mowing crew found his body.

http://www.wfaa.com/news/Dad-of-Wylies-Angel-speaks-out-92554084.html

McCaa Uncut: Wylie's Angel Video

by JOHN MCCAA
WFAA
Posted on April 30, 2010 at 7:14 PM
Updated today at 8:19 PM

DALLAS - Gerren Isgrigg's short tragic life is over. He's the little boy left in the bushes by a grandmother hoping, she says, someone would find him.
 
I didn't know him. I read what you read, heard what you heard: that he had special needs and that his grandmother was very likely overwhelmed trying to meet those needs.

She now sits in jail charged with the six-year-old's death.

It is a nightmare scenario into which Gerren was born. An absent father,  a mother who didn't seem to care granted sole custody and a grandmother overwhelmed.

As for the uncle, this was his response: "I mean, the kid was a complete vegetable the whole time before this and everything. It's nothing like it's being portrayed."

It makes no sense to try the case in the media. Instead, we should concentrate on the families for whom every life does matter, for whom being born into the fold - no matter what your difficulties - means not walking away, but standing strong.

On The Dallas Morning News website, there is a difficult but fascinating story called "Choosing Thomas." While sad, it is ultimately a love story about the family of a child born with a disease they know will take his life. It's a family with few options that refuses to walk away.

Their situation was not the same as Gerren's. Then again, neither was their response.

"In some ways, you know, Thomas is fortunate because he won't experience first broken heart," his mother said in the report. "His dad will never spank him. He'll never get grounded."

It will hurt, but it will give you hope that despite life's shortcomings, there are still some men and women who can teach each of us what love really is.

My thoughts, tell me yours: jmccaa@wfaa.com

http://www.wfaa.com/news/McCaa-Uncut--92556039.html

Several years ago I worked in a day support program. I worked with the higher functioning developmentally challenged adults teaching job, social, and independent living skills. We had several levels within the program. One of the levels was for adults that had similar capacities equal to Gerren. I remember this one young adult, probably 18, he looked like he was 9 or 10,  he was paralyzed, did not speak or do anything on his own. The staff that worked with him, put him  on a mat worked his legs and arms, brought him out in the community, fed him patiently with a spoon , straw etc. , so he would not choke. I will never forget the sparkle in his eyes. He was loved and cared for and he knew it. We are all humans living in a complicated hard to understand at times world. BUT...There is never a reason nor excuse to not be humane and show compassion. Gerren deserved that and would have felt it. There is no excuse for his parents not being there. There is no excuse for what the grandmother did. There is no excuse for social services not looking closer into the family dynamics. The media spins and sells sensationalism, and for that they are guilty. But there is truth in the articles. The plain and simple truth of a little boy that was not cared enough for.

Thank You Mission for the news articles. I had seen part of the dads interview on TV this evening. The other I hadn't seen.  The second article just makes me wonder why some people are so excepting when they have something like this happen while others just turn their backs and walk away. I find it so sad. I really would like to know why nothing from the bio mom. Nothing at all in any of the news reports I have seen just the dad.

I just don't get it how she could just walk away from her child. It seems like she pretty much just handed him over and really never looked back.  ::MonkeyNoNo::

   What happened to this poor baby is horrible.  In almost every community it is possible to get respite services if you are overwhelmed by the care of a special needs child.  There is never ever an excuse for this.  I am so scared for our society.  Instead of evolving with compassion for all we seem to be going backwards and there are some willing to excuse this behavior.  While  I do lay some blame on the parents, how could a grandparent do what she did?  I cannot understand it at all.

http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local-beat/Father-of-Wylies-Angel-Grieves-92554764.html
(video)
Father of Wylie's Angel Grieves
April 30, 2010

(http://media.nbcdfw.com/images/410*307/Jerry-Isgrigg.jpg)

The father of the boy dubbed "Wylie's Angel" said nothing he has seen as a Marine could have prepared him to cope with the death of his son.

“Is it killing me inside? I don't know a father who wouldn't be dying right now,” Staff Sgt. Jerry Isgrigg said.

His 6-year-old son, Gerren, died after his maternal grandmother allegedly abandoned the boy near a pond in a Wylie park. Darlene Phillips is charged with murder in the child's death.

It took investigators eight days to learn Gerren’s identity. In meantime, he was referred to as "Wylie's Angel."

Isgrigg saw his son's body at the Collin County morgue on Tuesday.

“He was covered completely except for his face -- the top part of his head," he said. "Everything else was covered. I'll never forget his face. That image alone is forever burned in my mind.”

He said he also broke down at the site Gerren was found at, where a memorial now honors his memory.

“The letters, the little sayings that they write, the little handprints, all the stuffed animals, the flowers, the candles -- it was that was probably the time that the majority of it really hit me,” he said.

Isgrigg said a bad divorce, his deployments and base reassignments kept him from seeing his son during the last three years. Gerren had violent seizures that prevented him from traveling, Isgrigg said. He said that every time he tried to see his son, there was always a miscommunication or something else that prevented a visit.

But he said he supported his son financially. His military health care plan paid for Gerren’s care, but Isgrigg said he didn't know his former mother-in-law was acting as the boy's primary caregiver.

Isgrigg said he last spoke to his former wife, Nyki Phillips, in mid-April, around the time Gerren's body was found in Wylie. He said he had a short conversation about a change in his benefits, but she never mentioned any issues with Gerren's care.

Police have said that Phillips, who lives in Oklahoma, had not seen her child in three months.

Isgrigg said the only time he met Darlene Phillips, his former wife's mother, was shortly after his son’s birth.

“She wouldn't let him go," he said. "She was always holding him, doing what grandmothers do -- cuddling, spoiling."

Isgrigg said the outpouring of support in North Texas for his son has overwhelmed him. He said he’s considering moving to Wylie, saying the people there are family.

A public memorial service for Gerren will be held at 7 p.m. Monday at the First Baptist Church in Wylie.

http://www.wylienews.com/articles/templates/news.asp?articleid=2110&zoneid=4
FBC WYLIE TO HOST MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR GERREN ISGRIGG MONDAY
April 30, 2010

First Baptist Church Wylie will host a memorial service for Gerren Isgrigg at 7 p.m. Monday, May 3. The service will be held in the main auditorium of the church, located at 100 N. 1st St. in Wylie. Dr. Derek Draper of FBC said the public is invited to attend.
Gerren, who was known as "Wylie's Angel" prior to his identification, is the 6-year-old boy whose lifeless body was found near East Fork Park at Lake Lavon April 15.

Just had the Memorial Service on our local news, hundreds of locals turned out, looked to be a beautiful service.  Several pictures of Gerren thru his short life were shown, many taken with his father lovingly holding him.  I sincerely think his father did care deeply for his precious little one, the emotion he showed at the service tonite was heartbreaking.

Wylie's Angel' remembered at memorial service

by STEVE STOLER

WFAA

Posted on May 3, 2010 at 10:19 PM

WYLIE — There is peace tonight for "Wylie's Angel" and for this Collin County community.

Tears fell Monday for six-year-old Gerren Isgrigg, the boy whose name was a mystery in the days after he was found dead in a park near Wylie.

Several hundred people attended a memorial service for Gerren at First Baptist Church of Wylie. Wylie Mayor Eric Hogue said the boy will not be forgotten.

“He will be remembered, even though his time on this Earth was so short. His little life ended way too soon and in such a terrible way,”  Hogue said.

Many of the people who came to remember Gerren saw his family for the first time.

Eighteen days ago, when the boy was found in a Wylie park, they knew nothing about him — only that he was six years old and had severe medical disabilities.

Gerren's father, Jerry Isgrigg, spoke to the community that embraced the boy. “It’s harder to be here in front of you all than it is to be in combat," the Marine sergeant said.  "This is the hardest thing I've ever had to do."

Isgrigg thanked the community who cared enough about his son to give him a temporary name, "Wylie's Angel," until he was identified.

“If he was here and he could talk, he could laugh, smile and play," Isgrigg said. "He would come up to each and every one of you and give you a huge kiss, and wrap his arms around you.”

Several hundred people who came to the service saw family photos of Gerren.

Karole Ridley tearfully read a poem. “Dear Jesus, is Gerren really in a better place? God whispered back, 'Don't worry, Wylie mommy. He's safe with me.'"

Gerren's father said after his son was born, he questioned his own faith. “Why would God allow a child so young and so precious and so innocent to suffer? I'll probably never actually know that answer,” he said.

Gerren's father says he now realizes his son had a purpose — to bring an entire community together and to affect many people in a personal way.

http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/Wylies-angel-remembered-at-memorial-service-92732369.html

North Texans Say Goodbye to Wylie's Angel
By ELLEN GOLDBERG
Updated 11:04 PM CDT, Mon, May 3, 2010

North Texans said goodbye Monday night to "Wylie's Angel," the little boy they never knew, but loved like he was one of their own.

Several hundred people filled First Baptist Church in Wylie for a public memorial for 6-year-old Gerren Isgrigg.

In full military dress, his grieving father, Jerry Isgrigg, struggled to find the words to thank the people of Wylie.

“This is the hardest thing I have ever had to do,” Isgrigg said. “You put so much of your hearts and souls into Gerren.”

Saying Farewell to Wylie's Angel
WATCH

The town of Wylie adopted the special needs boy after his body was found abandoned in a pile of brush on April 15. Investigators and members of the community worked tirelessly for eight days to identify the child.

“If he was here and he could talk and laugh and smile and play, he would come up to each and every one of you and give you a huge kiss and wrap his arms around you, as I wish I could do,” Isgrigg said.

Isgrigg, a staff sergeant in the U.S. Marines, hadn't seen his son since 2007. He said he is now considering moving to Wylie after getting to know the complete strangers who cared and prayed for his son.

”He wasn’t born here, he wasn’t raised here, but in the week I’ve been here, it doesn’t seem he ever left. Y’all are his family," he said.

He said he is comforted by the thought that the little boy, who spent most of his short life sick, is no longer in pain.

Isgrigg said he plans to take his son’s body to Arizona for a private family burial.

Darlene Phillips, the boy's maternal grandmother and primary caretaker, remains in the Collin County jail on a charge of murder in Gerren's death. Investigators say Phillips left the blind, deaf and mute 6-year-old in a Wylie park on April 12.

http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local-beat/North-Texans-Say-Goodbye-to-Wylies-Angel-92734434.html?__source=Facebook

I find it interesting that the mother of Gerren is nowhere, at the very least she should  thank the many in Wylie for all the love and support shown to her son.  In my opinion her absence is disturbing.  ::MonkeyNoNo::

agreed Mission!

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/050410dnmetangelmemorial.456bf86.html
Experts: Grandmother of 'Wylie's Angel' should have sought help
May 4, 2010

 It's unclear what Darlene Phillips thought her options were last month when she left her young grandson – blind, deaf, and unable to move because of his illness – in a remote area of Collin County where he died.

Experts say she should have asked for help.

Phillips, 63, had spent three years caring for the boy, 6-year-old Gerren Isgrigg. Now she sits in the Collin County Jail on suicide watch, facing a murder charge.
 "This is not a job that can be done alone," said Deborah Halpern of the Chicago-based National Family Caregivers Association. "There are places to go for help. Not to seek that out is irresponsible."

Phillips could have put Gerren in a nursing facility.

Nursing homes rarely turn down patients, said Sid Rich, executive director of the Texas Association of Residential Care Communities, a trade group.

"For the most part, they'll take you and figure out how to pay later," he said.

Phillips' husband, Patrick, said the couple discussed putting Gerren in a full-time care facility but opted against it.

"Doctors told us he could die any day," Phillips said. "My wife wanted him to live at home with family."

Medicaid help

In-home health care would have been another option. Anita Bradberry, executive director for the Texas Association for Home Care and Hospice, said Gerren should have qualified for Medicaid, which would have covered all the costs for in-home care. And because of his medical needs, he probably would have qualified immediately.

"I'm not sure where they fell through the cracks," she said.

Phillips also could have turned to extended family. Gerren's father and paternal grandparents have said that all Phillips had to do was ask.

"I know how frustrating it can get," Jerry Isgrigg said of caring for his special-needs son. "We would have come to get him."

Phillips said he and his wife hadn't heard in years from the Isgrigg family and didn't know how to reach them. Gerren's parents divorced in 2006, and the Phillipses' daughter Nyki Phillips had sole custody. She had asked her parents to care for Gerren several years ago, but the Isgrigg family was unaware of the change.

Scores of nonprofits and support groups exist to help caregivers with special-needs children. Finding the right programs, though, is a significant challenge.

"All of the responsibility is on the family to reach out for help," said Clay Boatright, board president of The Arc of Dallas, a nonprofit that helps people with disabilities.

The problem, he said, is that "not all parents are equally skilled in reaching out for help or using the Internet or leveraging resources."

"Gerren deserved to have an advocate who could work the system for him," Boatright said.

Baby Moses law

Phillips could have abandoned her grandson at a hospital, fire station or other health care facility. In that case, Marissa Gonzales with the state's Child Protective Services said, law enforcement would have had to decide whether to file criminal charges.

The state's Baby Moses law protects parents from criminal charges only when the child left at a hospital or fire station is no older than 60 days. But Gonzales said any penalties would have been far less severe than the murder charge Phillips faces today.

A group formed in the wake of Gerren's case is looking to expand the haven law to include children ages 10 and younger as well as all special-needs children younger than 18.

Malorie Martinez of Dallas, who created a Facebook page to help investigators learn Gerren's identity, said the group is in its early stages. The idea is simply to keep children from harm.

"We know there are resources out there, but there are people that are desperate and don't want to go through those channels," she said. "Maybe if she could have taken him to a safe haven without being prosecuted, she would have chosen differently."

sad

I agree very sad!  Why didn't she ask for help? I am sorry but Gerren's parents should have been there to help out. The grandmother did not seek out help and this little boy was suffering and starving. His parents did not have a clue because they had not seen him in three years, and now it is too late! It is too late for them to say sorry and cry over this. I know I sound harsh but this could have been avoided. There was a way!!! ::MonkeyNoNo::

not harsh at all...I feel the same way..

Thanks Muffy. 

Am thinking it's wonderful that they are looking into expanding the haven law.  If this is successful, it sure may prevent something like this from ever happening again. 

Thanks Muffy

I sure hope they step up to the plate and get this done. So we don't have this happen to another child.

I can't help but feel sorry for the grandmother.  All this talk from the father and his family about how they would've helped if the grandmother had just reached out to them...excuse me...you knew just want kind of problems this baby had and how much care he would need.  Did dad not once in 3 yrs look at his insurance paperwork and wonder why there were no charges for in-home care or hospital care?  Grandma was a nurse 24/7...did she have time or the sense to track daddy down for help?

Charge the mother.  She's ultimately responsible for this situation.  She neglected her child and her parent.


IMO

KittyMom,
Makes you wonder about all of them. What I just can't get pass in all of this is where in the he!! was the mom during all this. You're right dad said he had insurance on little Gerren the whole time.That's a good point, why wouldn't you at some point wonder why no bills for him. I put it all on the mother for dumping Gerren on the grand mother. If she didn't want him why not give him to the dad and let him handle his care. I have not seen or heard one word from the bio mom. I find that very odd. The dad has been seen, the stupid uncle was heard from and the lazy grandfather. If the grand mother was under so much stress and snapped why wasn't the grand father or son trying to get a hold of the dad and his family. Since it didn't sound like they had any contract when the bio mom.  It is just so sad that little Gerren had his little life end so tragically. When he didn't have too.

a part of me feels sorry for the grandmother as well...even though she had other choices..
but I picture that this grandmother had ALL of the care of this little child, never getting a break from his care..maybe of her own volition..dunno..It can be very stressful being a caregiver even to a person with only slight health care needs, let alone a small child that was totally dependent on this elder woman for his complete care...No one in that family should put any more blame on this woman than they put upon themselves..It is easy to say now that he is dead that they would have taken him or helped..Where were they all these years when gramma was with Gerren day and night providing care..Not excusing this woman in the least, but I feel that the rest of the family should share her guilt and her shame for this child's death. He could have and should have been placed in a facility with health care providers trained to help this child..The family could have come to visit him, no one did except for granny.

Hi ALL... I understand feeling bad for the grandmother as far as her having Gerren to raise and care for. But...  She worked in the system and knew how it all worked. She was not ignorant in that department. She knew there was help. Why she chose not to get it is what baffles me. Something is not right with all of this. It would be different if the grandmother was unfamiliar with how things worked. I wonder which family member was receing the SSDI check? The mother and father of this little boy should have been helping out for these past three years. It takes more than insurance to love and raise a child. The parents were living a carefree life while the grandmother was caring for their child. Shame on them!!!! Sorry to be so judgemental but a little boy died because his own family did not care enough.

yep Newfie....I agree with ya!

I wonder the same thing about who was receiving SSDI for Gerren, my hunch is the mother was receiving it and perhaps the grandmother did try to contact the mother for help with no results.  If that was the case then the grandmother should have called Child Protective Services and reported her.  I hold the mother accountable as well seeing as she was the legal custodial parent, yes the father should have done more out of moral will but ultimately it was the mother who was responsible for Gerren on a day to day basis to keep him safe and cared for.  With that being said the grandmother should have reached out instead of placing him under a bush to die.  ::MonkeyNoNo::

Legal battle over remains of 'Wylie's Angel''

by STEVE STOLER
WFAA
Posted on May 11, 2010 at 9:52 PM
Updated yesterday at 12:06 AM

NEWS 8 EXCLUSIVE

WYLIE — It's been nearly one month since the body of little Gerren Isgrigg was found in a Wylie park. And now, the body of the six-year-old is lying in wait as his parents battle over who gets his body.

Gerren's father, Jerry Isgrigg, asked a Collin County judge to prevent the boy's mother from taking the child's body out of state. But so far, authorities have not been able to find her to serve the papers.

Gerren’s body is at the North Dallas Funeral Home in Farmers Branch. A Collin County probate judge issued a temporary restraining order that will keep the child's body at the funeral home until the court can determine which parent has the right to decide what will happen with Gerren's remains.

Jerry Isgrigg sought for the restraining order. In court documents obtained by News 8, Isgrigg said his ex-wife, Nicky Phillips — who is Gerren's mother — has said she intends to cremate the remains or move Gerren's body to be buried in Arkansas, Missouri or Oklahoma.

Jerry Isgrigg wants to stop her from doing that. The court papers say he wants his child to have a Christian funeral and burial.

Gerren, who became known as "Wylie's Angel" before he was identified, was found at a Wylie park near Lake Lavon on April 15. Eight days later, the six-year-old boy was identified when investigators tracked down his father, a U.S. Marine who is stationed in California.

Gerren’s grandmother, 63-year-old Darlene Phillips, is charged with the child's murder.

News 8 recently traveled to McAlester, Oklahoma, attempting to talk with Nicki Phillips at a rural house she claimed as her address to Wylie police. She was not there.

Collin County probate judge Weldon Copeland ordered the boy's mother and funeral home officials to be in his courtroom Thursday morning. He’s asking them to show why his temporary restraining order should not be granted.

http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/parents-in-legal-battle-over-wylie-angels-body-93495499.html

Thanks Mission I hadn't seen that the dad was trying to stop the bio mom from taking little Gerrens remains. I can't call her his mother because all she did was give birth to him. IMO she has never taken care of him or loved him! All she has ever done is pass him off to someone else.

Good question about the SSI. I am thinking she kept it for herself. I sure wish they would go after her for Gerrens death. I hope the dad gets custody of Gerrens remains. I wonder if she will show up to the hearing. Though all of this I don't think she has been heard from or seen except from the funeral home director that said he had spoken with her.

I feel the same way GreenEyes, all she did was pass him off. If she was keeping the money then shame on her and if she was sending it to her mother to care for Gerren then she should have taken it a step further and given her legal guardianship so she had the legal right and ability to make decisions about his care if it became to difficult (as we know now it did) and maybe this child would not have been left to die with no dignity or love.   ::MonkeyNoNo::

I agree about the mother, she should be charged.  Perhaps the grandmother did not reach out to the father's family because if she would have she would have exposed her daughter's neglect and possible fraud (if she was pocketing child support and SSDI) which means she was more concerned about protecting her negligent daughter than she was little Gerren.  ::MonkeyNoNo::

I feel the same way Mission. Gerren should have been able to pass with dignity and love. Of which he had none of. That's what gets to me the most that this little guy was tossed out like he was a piece of trash. One of my nieces had a baby a few years back that born with so much wrong with him. They did heart surgery as soon as he was born. Which was only one problem. When he came home he was on a monitor because he would just stop breathing, he couldn't eat and they had to feed with him a stomach tube. They would get a nurse for a couple hours a week to take care of him so they could have some time to take care of other things. At age three after his third heart surgery he passed in his moms arms. I know how hard it was for her and the family but they did what they had to to take care of him. To see the bio mom dump him on the grandmother and seems to me never looked back. She is just as guilty as the grandmother for Gerrens death.

The entire "family" be damned.  IMO.  Don't care what they want now.  Pffffffffft!  They wrote Gerren off long ago. 

I fully believe that the town folks of Wylie, TX *ought to* be the ones to receive Gerren's body, in order for him to be laid to rest with the dignity, respect and love that he deserves.  The town folks and others online have shown him more love in his death than any of his 'so called' family ever showed him in life, IMO.  They were more than ready and fully prepared to lay him to rest, and I believe they ought to be allowed to do that. 

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS
 
May 12, 2010 Wednesday
 
Father of 'Angel' obtains court order over burial
 
The father of the 6-year-old boy who was found dead last month in Wylie has obtained a temporary restraining order over burial arrangements.

Jerry Isgrigg said Tuesday that his ex-wife, who got sole custody of their son after the couple's 2006 divorce, stopped all communication with him a week ago. The two have not talked since April 23. That's the day investigators identified the body of Gerren Isgrigg, who was found more than a week earlier near a Collin County pond.

Gerren's maternal grandmother, Darlene Phillips, faces a murder charge in connection with his death. Phillips, 63, was the primary caretaker of Gerren, who was blind, deaf and unable to move because of a seizure disorder.

Isgrigg said he filed the request in Collin County probate court last week to ensure that Gerren's mother, Nyki Phillips, doesn't act on her own.

This case is "so she just can't come in and take him and then disappear," Isgrigg said.

Isgrigg wants his son to have a Christian funeral and burial in Arizona. According to his request, Phillips has indicated that she wants her son cremated or buried in Arkansas, Oklahoma or Missouri.

"I'm trying to work it out, but she just doesn't want to play," Isgrigg said of the arrangements.

The court has granted the restraining order, which means that Gerren's body will remain at the North Dallas Funeral Home in Farmers Branch until the court rules which parent has the right to decide on burial arrangements.

Phillips could not be reached for comment. A hearing is scheduled for Thursday.

A mowing crew found Gerren's body on April 15 in the brush on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers land. Wylie Police and the Collin County Child Abuse Task Force teamed up with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to identify him. A Dallas woman who started a Facebook page to help identify the boy dubbed him Wylie's Angel. His story has captured the hearts of thousands around the world.

A tip to the center's hotline led to Gerren's identity.

Darlene Phillips told investigators she left Gerren at the park with a note that read: "I'm 6, I have seizures, I need medication and a feeding tube." No note was found.

Patrick Phillips said his wife has been caring for Gerren for the past three years. He said their daughter asked the couple to watch Gerren for a few weeks and then never came back.

"I can't believe they're fighting over him now," said Phillips, who has not talked with either of Gerren's parents. "Neither one showed any interest before."
http://www6.lexisnexis.com/publisher/EndUser?Action=UserDisplayFullDocument&orgId=574&topicId=100020825&docId=l:1184961317&start=9

snipped from Nut's article above:

"""I can't believe they're fighting over him now," said Phillips, who has not talked with either of Gerren's parents. "Neither one showed any interest before." 

speaks volumes to me ....
I agree with Wyks that neither of the parents should get any say in where Gerren will be buried...

Bless your nieces heart, they did whatever they could do for they baby but most of all they loved him and nurtured him until he passed, he knew he was surrounded by their love and that in and of itself was what he needed most.  So sad.  Little Gerren did not have any support system and no loving arms holding him when he died, it makes me sick.

I agree Wyk's - Gerren is Wylie's boy.  Amazing how they circled the wagons for this little boy immediately and have continued to support and love him, he belongs with those who didn't even know him but loved him unconditionally.

Pretty powerful statement by the grandfather isn't it.  ::MonkeyNoNo::

Court hearing on funeral of boy known as 'Wylie's Angel' is postponed

11:17 AM CDT on Thursday, May 13, 2010

By VALERIE WIGGLESWORTH / The Dallas Morning News
vwigglesworth@dallasnews.com

A court hearing scheduled for this morning over burial arrangements for a boy found dead in Wylie last month has been canceled.
Gerren Isgrigg

A new hearing was scheduled for May 24 in Collin County probate court.

The boy’s father, Jerry Isgrigg, had obtained a temporary restraining order last week to prevent his son’s body from being removed from the North Dallas Funeral Home until he and his ex-wife could work out arrangements.

Isgrigg has said he wants a Christian funeral and burial in Arizona for his son, Gerren. His ex-wife, Nyki Phillips, who had sole custody of the boy, has indicated she wants him cremated or buried in Arkansas, Oklahoma or Missouri.
Also Online

More news, information about Gerren Isgrigg

Any burial is on hold while Isgrigg petitions the court to decide which parent will be allowed to make the arrangements.

The hearing was canceled because Isgrigg couldn't find Phillips to serve her with notice of the case. On Thursday, he filed for an extension of the temporary restraining order, which the judge granted.

Six-year-old Gerren Isgrigg, who was blind, deaf and unable to move because of a seizure disorder, was found dead near a Collin County pond on April 15. His maternal grandmother, Darlene Phillips, has been charged with murder.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/city/collin/stories/051310dnmetwylieburial.f6c88c.html

That's pretty weird that the mom cannot be located to serve her.  Unless of course she is trying dang hard not to be located.  Sounds like the dad is the one trying to serve her, why doesn't the court and LE just take that task over? 

right!
and as a mother, how cold does she appear to us, the general public...not caring enough to see her child while he was living, now not caring enough to even attend to her son at his death...Does she have family and friends? what must they think of her???

There's a new hearing scheduled for Monday, May 24th, 2010 (tomorrow). I hope there will be some news and decisions made so the burial of little Gerren can be resolved.  He needs to be laid to rest in peace, imo.   ::MonkeyAngel::

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/051310dnmetwylieburial.f6c88c.html
Court hearing on funeral of boy known as 'Wylie's Angel' is postponed
May 13, 2010

 A court hearing scheduled for this morning over burial arrangements for a boy found dead in Wylie  last month has been canceled.
Gerren Isgrigg

A new hearing was scheduled for May 24 in Collin County probate court.

The boy’s father, Jerry Isgrigg, had obtained a temporary restraining order last week to prevent his son’s body from being removed from the North Dallas Funeral Home until he and his ex-wife could work out arrangements.

Isgrigg has said he wants a Christian funeral and burial in Arizona for his son, Gerren. His ex-wife, Nyki Phillips, who had sole custody of the boy, has indicated she wants him cremated or buried in Arkansas, Oklahoma or Missouri.
Also Online

Any burial is on hold while Isgrigg petitions the court to decide which parent will be allowed to make the arrangements.

The hearing was canceled because Isgrigg couldn't find Phillips to serve her with notice of the case. On Thursday, he filed for an extension of the temporary restraining order, which the judge granted.

Six-year-old Gerren Isgrigg, who was blind, deaf and unable to move because of a seizure disorder, was found dead near a Collin County pond on April 15. His maternal grandmother, Darlene Phillips, has been charged with murder.

Mother showed for the hearing this morning, they have agreed on burial, didn't speak to the media......

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/052410dnmet.3544f77f.html
'Wylie's Angel' parents end court battle over boy's burial
May 24, 2010

 The parents of a disabled boy found dead last month in Wylie  have agreed on the details of his burial.

Six-year-old Gerren Isgrigg will be buried in a private ceremony in Arizona, where his father, a Marine sergeant, has relatives.

The service will take place at a time and place mutually acceptable to the boy's estranged parents.

The agreement, disclosed this morning, apparently ends a court battle between the boy's father, Jerry Isgrigg, and Isgrigg's ex-wife, Nyki Phillips, who had sole custody of the child. The two sides were in probate court in Collin County this morning.

Gerren, who had a seizure disorder and was blind, deaf and unable to move, was found dead near a Collin County pond on April 15. His maternal grandmother, Darlene Phillips, has been charged with his murder.

Jerry Isgrigg said previously that he wanted a Christian funeral and burial in Arizona for his son. Phillips, his ex-wife, had indicated that she wanted the boy's remains cremated or a burial in Arkansas, Oklahoma or Missouri.

Isgrigg had sought and won a temporary restraining order to keep his son’s body from being removed from North Texas until the question of final arrangements could be resolved.

Phillips declined to comment outside the courtroom this morning. Isgrigg left before he could be asked for comment.

http://cbs11tv.com/local/Wylies.Angel.court.2.1711848.html
Fight Over The Body Of 'Wylie's Angel' Ends
May 24, 2010

COLLIN COUNTY (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
The fight over the body of 6-year-old boy who came to be known as 'Wylie's Angel' has ended. The biological mother and father of Gerren Isgrigg were in probate court Monday to decide who had the right to bury the boy and where he would ultimately rest.

It has been more than a month since landscaping crews found Gerren Isgrigg's emaciated body in the brush near Lake Lavon. His maternal grandmother and primary caretaker, Darlene Phillips, is behind bars, facing a charge of murder in connection with his death.

Isgrigg's mother, Nyki Phillips, was granted sole custody of the child after divorce but, according to family members, asked her parents to care for the child for a few weeks. That was four years ago, and the mother never returned.

While the boy's biological father, Marine Sgt. Jerry Isgrigg, reportedly had not seen his son since 2007 the marine obtained a temporary restraining order to keep his ex-wife from burying the child.

Monday morning both parents agreed the child will be laid to rest in Arizona. When the service will be held had yet to be determined, but the agreement is for a private ceremony.

Isgrigg's body was being held at a funeral home in Farmers Branch, while the courtroom battle played out. Late Monday morning the parents were preparing written instructions to funeral home.

RIP  Gerren

Court date set in Wylie's Angel case

Date: Wednesday, September 22, 2010
news@wylienews.com

A jury trial date for Darlene Phillips, accused of the murder of her grandson, Gerren Isgrigg, has been tentatively set for Dec. 7.

Earlier this month, a judge in Dallas’ Fifth District Court of Appeals upheld a judge’s previous ruling that set Phillips’ bond at $500,000. Her attorney had claimed that amount was excessive and, since she was not a flight risk and her health was poor, it should be reduced. Her husband, Patrick Phillips, had said he had exhausted all his resources to pay the bond and that they would agree to remain in Texas.

Phillips was charged with Gerren’s murder when she admitted to police that she had left him in a parking lot near Lake Lavon in Wylie. Members of a landscape crew  had found his body April 15. Severely disabled, Gerren was fed through a feeding tube and was unable to move or talk.

http://www.wylienews.com/articles/templates/news.asp?articleid=2506&zoneid=5

http://gerren-isgrigg.gonetoosoon.org/memorial/
Gerren "Wylie's Angel" Isgrigg
2003 - 2010
 ::MonkeyAngel::

http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/Grandmother-charged-with-murder-in-Wylies-Angel-case-re-indicted-122748934.html
Grandmother charged with murder in 'Wylie's Angel' case re-indicted
May 27, 2011

 ::snipping2::
Collin County prosecutors have re-indicted Darlene Phillips, a 64-year-old grandmother who was accused of killing her 6-year-old grandson, Gerren Isgrigg.

In addition to the murder charges against Phillips, she is now charged with injury to a child, both of which are first degree felonies. Phillips' trial is expected to begin on June 20.

Under the new indictment, the jury would have more choices. They could convict her on one charge, both charges or find her not guilty.
 ::snipping2::

http://www.wfaa.com/news/crime/Grandmother-in-Wylies-Angel-case-pleas-guilty-122966663.html
Video
'Wylie's Angel' grandmother pleads guilty to killing grandson
June 1, 2011

MCKINNEY - On Wednesday morning Darlene Phillips took a plea deal that means years behind bars.

It was Phillips’ third court hearing on a potential plea bargain. During the first two times, she changed her mind and rejected the agreement.

On Wednesday she told Judge Chris Oldner that she accepted the terms: a guilty plea to Gerren Isgrigg's murder in exchange for 28 years behind prison bars.

"For her, it was about wanting to be able to have the hope or the chance that she will get out of here and have years left in her life," Marc Fratter, Phillips’ attorney.

Phillips’ lawyer said the 64-year-old grandmother wanted to keep Isgrigg's parents out of the courtroom, especially the child’s mother, her daughter, Nikki Phillips.
 ::snipping2::
"We wanted to hear her say that she's guilty of murder and she got up there and she did," Curtis Howard, Collin County Prosecutor:

Phillips will be elgibile for parole in 13 years.
 ::snipping2::
Phillips will be back in the same courtroom on Thursday morning for victim impact statements.

Isgrigg's family will get an opportunity to face her and share their feelings.

http://www.the33tv.com/news/kdaf-wylies-angel-court-case-plea-father-speaks-story,0,6605861.story
Wylie's Angel Case: Father Tells Court He "Failed" Son
June 2, 2011

MCKINNEY, TEXAS—
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"In some way, fashion or form, I failed my son," said Jerry Isgrigg.
Jerry Isgrigg gave an emotional victim impact statement, bringing closure to the case against Darlene Phillips, his son Gerren`s 64-year-old maternal grandmother. Wednesday, Phillips struck a plea deal with prosecutors.
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Police say Gerren was still alive when Phillips left him near Lake Lavon in Wylie in April of last year. Gerren had special needs, a feeding tube and suffered from seizures . Phillips was the boy's primary caregiver. Isgrigg said he couldn't bring himself to look at her in court. He said he had no empathy.

"No child should ever be treated in that manner," said Isgrig
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Isgirgg says the women of Wylie are now like sisters to him.

"Without these ladies, I don`t know where I`d be right now," said Isgrigg.

He says because of everything they did for Gerren's case, he'll consider the people of Wylie family forever.

"They`ll be my family until I have a foot in the grave, they`ll be my family," he said.

This is solved......moving it