Advertiser Christmas Fund
Child's grave needs headstone
By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer
Twenty-two-year-old "B.D." is working, his girlfriend "L.C." expects to earn her GED diploma in May, and their 2-year-old daughter is healthy.
The family is getting by on B.D.'s $350 monthly paycheck plus $239 a month from welfare and food stamps. Their goal is to get out of transitional housing.
But their first priority is to provide a headstone for their 6-week-old daughter, who died of sudden infant death syndrome on June 22. The couple had to borrow $2,000 to pay funeral expenses and couldn't afford the additional $500 for a headstone.
"Something will always not be right in our lives until we do this," B.D. said.
Wiping away tears, L.C. added: "People ask me where my baby stay. How can tell them where to go to put flowers, or visit, when there's no name? It hurts that our baby has no headstone. Our car can't make it out there, so we can't even go visit her."
B.D. describes himself as "spoiled rotten," but the death of his child made him aware of his family commitment. He is working at a fast-food restaurant with hopes of finding a better job.
How to make a donation
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Checks made payable to The Advertiser Christmas Fund should be mailed to
Helping Hands Hawai'i
P.O. Box 19155
Honolulu, HI 96817
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Donations may also be dropped off at any First Hawaiian Bank branch.
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Anyone wishing to donate goods instead of money can do so at the Community Clearinghouse at 2100 N. Nimitz Highway near Pu'uhale Street. For details, call 536-7234.
L.C., 19, was removed from an abusive home by Child Protective Services at age 16. Her own daughter was 6 months old when CPS took custody of the infant.
"I made poor relationship choices," said L.C., who together with B.D. has successfully completed a CPS case management plan to get her daughter back.
Successful reunifications are rare in cases involving women as young and inexperienced as L.C., said social workers.
B.D. and L.C. are looking forward to celebrating their first Christmas together. There's no money to buy gifts, but they would appreciate clothes (size 2 to 3 toddler) and toys for their daughter.
