KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Family is grieving the loss of 6-year-old Jaylen Worthington from Kalamazoo.
Jaylen was first admitted to the hospital December 14th with extensive injuries. Family says that he had broken ribs, a punctured lung and trauma to his head.
Doctors later pronounced him brain dead, according to relatives. Jaylen died on December 23rd.
The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety is now asking for tips that will lead to the arrest of Latravion Heard McMillon, wanted in connection to the abuse case. McMillon is currently facing charges of felony murder and 1st-degree child abuse.
Investigators say McMillon had been in a relationship with Jaylen's mother.
Relatives say the little boy had a bright future ahead of him, always having a smile on his face.
"He was a happy child. He never did anything to get in trouble. I would take him places like the zoo and the park, and he always had fun. He was always happy," said Mahala Worthington, Jaylen's aunt.
Mahala says she and her relatives spent time with their nephew often, until Jaylen's biological mother made it difficult to arrange times to visit after she began dating McMillon.
"She stopped answering us, stopped letting us see him. So we really wouldn’t have known when anything went wrong," said Mahala.
When Jaylen was taken to the hospital, his injuries were considered life-threatening. Towards the end of his life, he was breathing solely because of the machines he was hooked up to. Relatives say he suffered from broken ribs, a punctured lung and trauma to his head.
Relatives are eager for an arrest to be made in Jaylen's murder. They are asking for anyone to step forward if they have information.
Despite the arrest warrant currently out for McMillon's arrest, relatives believe authorities didn't act quickly enough.
"He should have been arrested from the moment he went to the hospital. From the time that he went to the hospital, playing like he was his dad. He should have been arrested. They clearly knew that was abuse and some action should have been taken immediately," said Justina Worthington, Jaylen's aunt.
If you have any information about where McMillon may be, you are asked to contact Kalamazoo County Central Dispatch at 269-488-8911 or the silent observer at 269-343-2100.
The family is raising money to help with funeral costs. You can donate HERE.
