Mi a go visit mi baby grave - Sad Father’s Day ahead for dad whose baby died from fractured skull

This Father's Day, June 18, Devon Brooks had plans of picking up his baby Devon Brooks Jr, and taking him on a 'parring' spree.

They probably would have gone to the park, enjoyed a day at the beach, or simply went to wherever the winds led them. This Sunday, however, Brooks said he will not be in the mood for celebrating, and will be using a portion of his day to visit the grave of his eight-month-old, who died in April.

"Mi woulda pick him up and mi and him go par man because him a di likkle last one out of 15, and a di first Father's Day mi would spend with him. Mi really don't know what mi a go do this Sunday because this hurt up my head badly. Before this, mi would go road with mi son or mi friend dem, but right now I don't know. Mi a go visit mi baby grave and chill with him a bit for sure. Even in death, is like I can't separate from him, so I am gonna go there and sit and just try find some peace," Brooks said.

Baby Devon died on April 15, after being hospitalised for three days. The child's mother, Ann-Marie Williams, had reportedly left him in the care of her older son while she worked the night shift in the janitorial department at the Spanish Town Hospital. The following day, she was told that the baby was at a neighbour's house. She said when she went to collect the child, she found him unresponsive on a bed. The baby, she said, had a huge swelling on his head and his eyes were shut. An autopsy revealed that he had died from blunt force trauma to the head. Two persons have been arrested in connection with his death.

THE MOST DIFFICULT MOMENT

The infant was buried on Sunday at the Meadowrest Memorial Gardens in St Catherine. Brooks described the moment as one of the most difficult in his life. He said his mind was flooded with thoughts and pictures about the type of life little Devon would have had. The grieving dad said that after uttering a prayer, he stood over his casket and declared his undying love for the infant.

"It was difficult to watch him being buried knowing that is the last mi a go see mi son again. It was a grieving situation. Mi talk to him and tell him say mi love him and that mi never get a chance to hear him call mi 'Da Da' or say 'Mama'. Mi tell him say him never even get time to celebrate him first birthday, but him going back to God and he will be safe," Brooks said.