PEYTON DOUGLAS - 2 yo (2009) - Caryville (NW of Knoxville) TN

The grandmother of a child abuse victim in
Campbell County wants her family's story to raise awareness about the
importance of reporting those crimes.
Sharon Douglas has had permanent custody of her two-and-a-half
year-old grandson, Peyton, since January, 2010. Peyton was removed from
his mother's house in 2009 after authorities determined her boyfriend
had beaten Peyton. "What does a baby do to deserve it. There's no sense
in it," said Sharon Douglas.
Joseph Michael Smith, a Fort Campbell soldier, and Michelle Douglas
are both in the Campbell County Jail awaiting trial on one count of
child abuse and neglect. Smith allegedly gave Peyton bruises all over
his body, burned him with a cigarette, and caused a broken arm and other
fractures. Sharon Douglas said, "He had pins in his arm from the
broken arm, he had broken ribs, skull fractures, bruises from head to
toe." Police say all of the abuse happened at Michelle Douglas's home in
Caryville between June 12-17, 2009.
"He didn't have any sparkle in his eyes. He looked like a little lost
soul," said Sharon Douglas about Peyton when he first came to live with
her six months ago.
Now, Sharon Douglas says Peyton is thriving, living in her home along
with his five-year-old brother, Ian. "Every week he goes through
development class and he talks more, and says 'I gotta do it myself',"
said Sharon Douglas. Peyton and Ian also call Sharon "mom." "It makes
my heart swell up and explode like, my gosh, I got these two precious
miracles," said Sharon Douglas.
Saturday afternoon, Peyton, Ian, and Sharon enjoyed playtime at Cove
Lake State Park. Peyton ran around with tons of energy. Sharon said
having to be a single parent as a grandparent has been an adjustment.
"You have to remember I have to be the parent. You can't say, 'Oh
you're doing ok. It's ok, you know' and then send them back to mom and
dad because I can't! They're there for life," said Sharon Douglas.
Peyton's story is not only a warning about the dangers of child
abuse, but points to a what experts say is a growing trend:
grandchildren being raised by grandparents. The American Association of
Retired Persons reports there are more than 100,000 children being
raised by grandparents in Tennessee. The Census Bureau reports there
are 3.9 million cases in the United States; that's a 76% increase from
1970.
Sharon Douglas wants the public to "speak up and do something" about
drug and child abuse because she said there are too many children not
being raised by their mom's and dads. Since Peyton is doing so well,
Sharon said, "I lost a daughter but I gained a son." She said she is
committed to being the mother to Peyton, and Ian, that they deserve.

A Campbell County woman has been sentenced to 10 years behind bars for her role in the beating and abuse of her child.The Campbell County Clerk's office says Michelle Douglas pled guilty last week to facilitation of aggravated child abuse. A judge sentenced her to ten years in prison.Douglas' boyfriend, Joseph Michael Smith, a Fort Campbell soldier, is accused of beating 22-month old son Peyton in June 2009. Peyton suffered a broken arm, cigarette burns and bruising all over his body. As part of her plea, Douglas will testify against Smith. His trial is set for March 23rd.Peyton's grandmother gained full custody of the boy earlier this year.