Baby of brain-dead mother thriving
The abused woman's brother has arrived in Honolulu to take the boy to Denver to raise
The month-old boy whose mother was kept on life support until she gave birth is expected to be released from the hospital soon.
Josiah will be going to the mainland to live with family members of Sarah Fay, 34, who was declared brain-dead on Nov. 27.
She was found unconscious with head and bodily injuries a day after Thanksgiving at a Fern Acres subdivision house on the Big Island.
Fay was kept on life support until giving birth to Josiah on Dec. 12.
"We're encouraged by his progress and eager to bring him home to our family," said Michael Fay, Sarah's brother, in a news release.
Michael Fay and his wife, Carie, arrived in Honolulu yesterday and will be staying for five days to familiarize themselves with Josiah and his needs before taking him home to Denver, where they will raise him.
Josiah is at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children, "where he is eating well and growing at a healthy rate," the family said. He is off oxygen support and is able to breathe on his own.
Family members said Josiah recently began his transition to the bottle and is currently receiving formula. The family expects to take him home once he fully develops his swallowing and suckling abilities and is able to digest four bottles of formula a day.
Michael's mother, Frances Fay, has legal guardianship of Josiah. Michael and his wife are in the process of legally adopting him.
Sarah had two other children, Adahy, 10, and Wahliya, 7. Both live with their father and his three other children in Pasadena, Calif. Michael Fay talks with them and said they are adjusting to their new school.
"We keep in close touch with Adahy and Wahliya. They are enjoying the company of their three other siblings, although this time remains extremely difficult for them. We continue our support of our niece and nephew to ensure they receive support as they adjust to the tragedy that has been bestowed upon them," Michael said.
Marwan Jackson, 25, has been charged with the murder of Sarah Fay. Other charges include sexual assault, kidnapping, robbery and violation of a protective order.
After Josiah was delivered, a team of doctors removed Sarah's two kidneys and liver, which were donated to three different people. Then she was taken off life support.
In their news release, the Fays showed support for the Violence Against Women Act of 2005, which was recently signed into law by President Bush.
The law contains initiatives to help abused women and children. It also strives to improve response by law enforcement to victims and provide more support services.
Sarah's family set up the Sarah Marie Fay Memorial Fund to help support her three children. Those who would like to make a contribution can go to www.sarahmariefay.com.