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Highlands Today

Community mourns for child who died from abuse

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Baby K and her grandfather

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Brad Dickerson

Published: May 28, 2009

Updated: 05/28/2009 06:25 pm

AVON PARK - Dana Gonzalez has been "just an emotional wreck" since learning Thursday morning that 22-month-old Kaedyn Short had died.

The Avon Park massage therapist said she and a lot of her clients, who are nurses, have been keeping the young child in their prayers after news of her injuries first hit in late March.

That spiritual support is something she hopes will continue now more than ever.

"We need to be in prayer for the family," Gonzalez said, adding that she has been following the story, but does not know Short or her mother.

The young child died almost two months after authorities say she was severely injured by Avon Park police officer James Parker.

Short passed away Wednesday at 9:38 a.m., at a Polk County hospice home where she was being cared for in her final days. She was the daughter of Parker's former live-in girlfriend and had been on life support for some time after being hospitalized for multiple bruises and an apparent skull fracture March 29.

Her mother, a nurse, was at work at the time of the incident and Parker was reportedly watching the child.

Gonzalez, who is a member of the Avon Park League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), plans to attend a candle light prayer vigil Monday night in honor of Short, also known as "Baby Hope."

A similar vigil was held in April for the child, as she continued to fight for her life at All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg.

"I think it's very important we work together as a group," for the family, said Gonzalez.

In an emotional e-mail, Avon Park LULAC president Patricia Austin said, "our hearts hurt," after the news of Short's passing was announced.

"Baby Hope has lost her life," Austin said in the e-mail. "An innocent little baby girl who could not even defend herself. Why, why has this happened? What went wrong?"

In addition to the candlelight vigil, Monday's LULAC meeting will focus on the issue of recognizing police brutality and abuse.

Austin said this incident has been emotional for many in Avon Park.

"It has affected the community," she said. "It has touched their hearts so much."

The Highlands County Sheriff's Office is continuing to investigate the case, along with the state attorney's office, District 10 Medical Examiner's Office and the Department of Children and Families.

Charges against Parker, who presently faces a count of aggravated child abuse, could be upgraded to murder.

DONATIONS
Donations may be sent to Children's Services Foundation at P.O. Box 7125, Sebring, FL 33872-0103. At the bottom of the check, write "for Baby K fund." All donations in Children's Services' name are tax deductible.

Highlands Today reporter Brad Dickerson can be reached at (863) 386-5838 or bdickerson@highlandstoday.com

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