03/12/2025
A L A N D R I A | T E X A S
“On November 16, 2024, our lives changed forever. Our 10-week-old daughter, Jirah, was taken from us after a tragic misunderstanding—one that could have been avoided if doctors had simply looked at the medical evidence. Now, despite proof of her bone fragility, we are still fighting to bring her home.
Jirah was born on September 7, 2024, weighing 6 pounds and was 15 inches long. I was exclusively pumping because Jirah struggled to latch due to a severe lip tie. I had also been producing 50–70 ounces of milk per day, which made it difficult for her to gain weight. [With oversupply the baby sometimes doesn’t get enough high fat milk necessary for adequate calorie intake.]
Jirah was still 8lbs at 10 weeks so it was suggested to see a lactation consultant to see if Jirah could now latch. We went on November 13th, and Jirah latched easily with a ni**le guard. I was so pleased. However, I was instructed to stop pumping to lower my milk supply. [Decreasing the milk supply can help allow the baby to consume more high fat milk.]
On November 16th, I was breastfeeding Jirah with a ni**le guard when I had a sudden letdown. Jirah choked on the milk and I quickly moved her to help her breathe. She let out a cry, but calmed down almost immediately, so I thought nothing of it. However, later that night, as my husband, Quentin, and I were getting her ready for bed, we noticed that her left arm was limp. We rushed her to the local children’s hospital.
What happened next was our worst nightmare.
At the hospital, doctors found a fractured humerus and then told us that Jirah also had multiple healing rib fractures—something we had no knowledge of. Instead of investigating further, they immediately accused us of child abuse.
We begged the doctors to look deeper, but they refused. Jirah’s bloodwork showed:
• Vitamin D: 8.5 (severely deficient)
• Alkaline Phosphatase: 1,153 (high, indicating bone turnover)
• Parathyroid Hormone: 110 (abnormally high)
• Total Bilirubin: 2.7
Every one of these results pointed to a serious metabolic or bone disorder. But the doctors dismissed them, stating that ‘labs don’t explain fractures.’ Instead of searching for answers, they called CPS and Mansfield PD. The hospital did not even wrap Jirah’s arm until we had been there for almost 24 hours.
That same night, we were forced to leave the hospital without our baby. Without an investigation, CPS took our daughter away. As if all of this wasn’t enough, we later discovered that the affidavit submitted by the child abuse pediatrician at the children’s hospital falsely claimed that Jirah had a subdural hematoma—a serious brain bleed. This was used against us in court. However, the same doctor later admitted in court that this information was false.
Despite the pain of separation, we didn’t stop fighting. We sought a second opinion at another local hospital, but the doctor had ties to the accusing children’s hospital and refused to even examine Jirah. She remained in her car seat the entire appointment.
The next day, we saw our pediatrician, who was much more thorough. She immediately recognized that something was wrong, prescribed Jirah vitamin D supplements, and recommended we see an endocrinologist. She also advised us to supplement my breastmilk with goat milk formula to help Jirah get the additional nutrients her body desperately needed.
The endocrinologist:
✅ Diagnosed Jirah with Neonatal Nutritional Rickets (a bone disorder caused by severe vitamin D deficiency).
✅ Confirmed that rickets causes bone fragility and weak bones that fracture easily.
But even with medical proof that her fractures were due to her fragility, CPS refused to drop the case.
On November 25th, I received a call from a detective, telling me I had 24 hours to turn myself in. I was arrested and charged with a felony for “Injury to a Child - Neglect.” All because I could not explain the rib fractures.
While I sat in Tarrant County Jail, my husband and mother scrambled to find a lawyer for the CPS case. I was released on bond the next day, but the damage was done. My name was now tied to a felony charge I do not deserve.
Through recommendations from Parents Behind The Pinwheels and those within the Fractured Families community, I found an attorney specializing in cases like ours. She brought in top medical experts, including a pediatric radiologist and a child abuse pediatrician, who testified that:
✅ Jirah’s rib fractures did not follow a pattern of abuse.
✅ Some of her ribs were skipped, which is inconsistent with squeezing.
✅ Her first rib was fractured, which is never linked to child abuse.
✅ Given Jirah’s low vitamin D and lab results, the first step should have been an endocrinology consult—not calling CPS.
Yet, despite all this, we are still in a legal battle. Our next court date is March 24, 2025.
We are innocent. The medical evidence proves it. But those in power refusing to admit their mistakes have kept us from our baby for months.
Every day without our daughter is heartbreaking. We have missed her first Thanksgiving, her first laughs, her milestones, and the precious time we will never get back. No parent should have to go through this.
How You Can Help:
1. Donate – Any amount helps. Legal and medical expert fees are incredibly high, and every dollar brings us closer to justice.
[See comments for link to the GoFundMe.]
2. Share our story – Awareness is power. Help us expose how the system is failing innocent families.
3. Pray and support us – Your encouragement and prayers keep us going.
We are grateful for any support you can give. Please help us bring Jirah home.”
Lyssa Bastet - Intuitive Reader, Poet, Medium and safe space to vent into the void. Get comfortable. Tarot Reader, Spoken Word Artist
