Parents' Grief
After infant dies at day care, family reaches out to others
By Brandy Nance (Contact)
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Photo by Brandy Nance
Jeanne Clinton and Kyle Tacy, along with Melody Eastwood, 3, Clinton’s first child, hold memorial ornaments Monday afternoon dedicated to 3 1/2-month-old Layla Tacy, who died on Nov. 15 of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Money is being raised to help pay for costs associated with Layla’s death.
When Jeanne Clinton and Kyle Tacy took their daughter Layla Mae Vaughn Tacy, who was born on Aug. 1, to her first day of day care, they had no idea the day would end in tragedy.
Nov. 15 was the day both parents were training at Taco Bell, where they work. That morning, Layla and her 3-year-old sister, Melody Eastwood, were dropped off at day care. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary — but it would be the last time Clinton and Tacy would see Layla’s smile, the last time they would get to hold her.
Layla died that afternoon from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Emporia Deputy Police Chief Michael Williams said last week the file is a closed matter and he has no reason to believe Layla died of anything other than SIDS.
Monday afternoon, Layla’s parents spoke about that day — and how the family is coping. While they talked, Melody sat nearby coloring, full of smiles and chatter.
“Melody just does what she does,” Tacy said, as he watched Melody color. Tacy added that Melody hasn’t shown any understanding of what is going on.
Clinton said they don’t have an actual time Layla died that day. She said they called the day care that afternoon to see when they should pick up their children. When they called at 5 p.m., they were told to get there as soon as possible. They had no idea Layla had died that afternoon.
Through the tragedy, Clinton and Tacy found the strength to help other babies in need. Layla had a rare blood type and shortly after she died, Clinton was contacted to see if she would allow Layla’s heart valves to be donated.
“They said she’d be a match to one, maybe two babies,” Clinton said.
Clinton’s voice shook as she explained what led her to that decision.
“I wouldn’t want somebody else to go through that (loss of child),” she said.
Layla’s funeral was on the day after Thanksgiving in Drexel, Mo. Layla was buried in Sharon Cemetery near Drexel. Clinton said a handmade casket was donated by Mullinax Funeral Home, who was in charge of arrangements.
“People there were really great, too,” Clinton said.
Since that day, the family is doing the best they can to cope.
“Every day is different,” Clinton said. “Everything has been busy.”
“She keeps us busy,” Tacy said, as he glanced over at Melody, who was singing as she colored a picture.
Clinton and Tacy shared Layla’s personality Monday afternoon.
“Smiles every morning,” Tacy said.
“She never cried,” Clinton added. “She would lay in bed and grunt but she never cried. She was always happy and healthy. She was perfect. We tried a long time to have her.”
The family has placed donation cans in and around Emporia to help pay the bills. Donation cans are located at the following locations in Emporia: Kwik Shop, 12th Avenue and Merchant Street; Bad ‘Ol Burns BBQ & Ice Cream, 20 Commercial St.; Burger King, 2725 W. 18th Ave.; Gambino’s Pizza, 1003 Industrial Road; Auto Zone, 825 W. Sixth Ave.; and Hasting’s, 1646 Industrial Road. Other locations include Glacier’s in Madison and Casey’s General Store in Madison and Drexel, Mo.
“ ... We thank everybody,” Clinton said. “The donations are paying for our bills.”
The family still needs a headstone for Layla’s grave. Money donated will go to that also.
In addition, Layla Mae memorial Christmas ornaments are being sold at The Granada Coffee Co., 809 Commercial St., and Sensei Salon, 1309 W. Sixth Ave. All money will go to the family to help cover costs associated with Layla’s death.
Comments
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Posted by hottopics (anonymous) on December 4, 2007 at 1:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I cant even type a reply without tears. But I hope everyone goes and buys a ornament for this family as I will be today.
Posted by abc123 (anonymous) on December 4, 2007 at 1:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The ornaments will be for sale this SATURDAY December 8th at the Flint Hills Mall - the table should be located in the main entrance between Honeysuckle Lane and Claires. Friends and family are donating the supplies and time to create these ornaments so that ALL money goes to this family. Also, the ornaments will not be ready until after tomorrow so if you go to the Granada or Sensai they don't have any right now. Please wait until Thursday or Friday at those locations! The ornaments also display awareness about putting your baby on her "back to sleep" so these beautiful ornaments make a great gift for a caregiver or new parent! Thanks!
Posted by abc123 (anonymous) on December 4, 2007 at 2:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We would also gladly put ornaments out for sale at any business that is interested, please email laylamaememorial@yahoo.com so we can get in touch with you!
Posted by rami (anonymous) on December 4, 2007 at 2:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My prayers are with you. I have to go out on some errands today and I am making it a point to stop in at Quik Shop to make a donation. I am sorry for your loss.
Posted by LilJHawkFan (anonymous) on December 4, 2007 at 4:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
May God bless your family. Layla sounded like a beautiful baby, and now Jesus has her in his arms. I will buy an ornament and think of her when I place it on the tree.
Posted by hottopics (anonymous) on December 4, 2007 at 7:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks for the update. I went down there today and found out and was going to pass it on. I did call the Gazette to let them know so others who get the paper wont go and then forget to go back when they were available.
Everyone email your friends and family so we can have a great turn out. I also think a donation jar should be available at the table as well.
I would also be more than happy to put them out at our business as well.
Posted by abc123 (anonymous) on December 4, 2007 at 9:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks hottopics for the info. did you email laylamaememorial@yahoo.com about getting some ornaments for your business? Just checking, if not then shoot us an email so we can get you some ornaments! Thanks again.
Posted by hottopics (anonymous) on December 4, 2007 at 11:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes I did email you. Did you receive it? Since this is a new email address on yahoo, might check filters so nothing gets blocked or in the junk box.
I will also email some others to see if they would be willing to sell them for you.
Do we have a goal to reach? Sometimes giving the community a goal or amount to reach can bring a incentive and spark to give more and spread the word. Once the goal is reached they can see that they really can make a difference by a $1.00 or buying an ornament.
I hope EMPORIA shows its true heart and can come together and help where unconditional gratitude really is appreciated and needed.
Posted by scionxb (anonymous) on December 4, 2007 at 11:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I feel really upset that this happened and even though only a few people will know, Layla is in heaven with Jacoby! I know I will buy an ornament for our familys' sake.
Posted by abc123 (anonymous) on December 5, 2007 at 8:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks hottopics I did get your email, just double checking, your help will make a world of difference, right now we have about 160 ornaments to assemble and we plan to sell them for $10 each, it's not a lofty goal, the family just needs all the help they can get, and our group of friends has a lot of love to offer, but not much money. Imagine not having any paid time off or life insurance or savings and then you lose your baby at her first day in daycare. They are young and just getting started, everyone needs a chance to make it especially after a tragedy like this. The family's main concern is their previous looming debts that are not sympathetic to the death of their child. I appreciate all your help and yes so far Emporia has been wonderful and generous!
Posted by hottopics (anonymous) on December 5, 2007 at 9:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Well it was so apparent that they didnt have much money to begin with.
I think we need to make a higher goal to help this family out and for their daughter to have a good Christmas.
If ANYONE has groups, teams, organizations or just families who can get involved, I think we need to do Christmas for them.
I am more than willing to head it up if anyone wants to join in.
Posted by src3175 (anonymous) on December 5, 2007 at 6:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hottopic, Thank you sooo much for getting so involved this touches my heart so deeply. Layla was my niece and Melody is wonderful little girl as well. I know Jeanne and Kyle would be so greatful to have help providing her Christmas its really hard for them to think of the "holidays" but for Melody's sake they are trying to get in the spirit of Christmas.
Again Thanks to all Emporians who are being so willing to help my Jeanne and Kyle.
Thanks,
Shelly Clinton (Layla's Aunt)
Posted by hottopics (anonymous) on December 7, 2007 at 11:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
So where are we at with this? This was already pushed down so far in the headlines I had to search.
Do we have a Christmas list for Melody?
We need contact info for delivery.
Posted by abc123 (anonymous) on December 7, 2007 at 11:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey Hottopics, just emailed you from the laylamaememorial@yahoo.com account. If you want to get in touch with Jeanne's sister please contact Brandy Nance at the Gazette. Or if you get that email it has her info. in it. THANK YOU for all you are doing and want to do, we hope to meet you at the mall tomorrow!! We will be selling the 160 ornaments we have, hopefully we sell out and have to make more!
Posted by abc123 (anonymous) on December 8, 2007 at 12:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Just talked with Aunt Shelly (Melody's Aunt) and Mel-Mel as the family calls her, needs a toddler bed and a better dresser or chest of drawers, her bed and dresser she currently has are falling apart. She also loves Horse and Pony toys, like the My Little Pony stuff. She likes Strawberry Shortcake too. She does not have an educational electronic toy like the LeapPad so that may be good too! Hope his helps! Thanks!
Posted by src3175 (anonymous) on December 9, 2007 at 5:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
To all of the Emporia Residents who braved the cold icy streets on Saturday, Thank you for purchasing you " Layla Mae Memorial Ornament" each and every ornament sold will help The Family. If you were not able to get out to the mall you will be able to find your ornaments will be delivered on Monday to the local businesses who have agreed to display and sell them.
Thanks
Posted by src3175 (anonymous) on December 9, 2007 at 6 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The local businesses which have been gracious enough to sell the "Layla Mae Memorial Ornaments" are: Granada Coffee Shop, Sensai Salon, and Tricia Segobia Studio.
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