A tragic life: Shylae Thomas

Shannon Murphy

The Flint Journal

FLINT, Michigan -- With a radio playing next to her, a small smile would cross Shylae Thomas's face as she turned her head toward the sound.

For a little girl who couldn't walk, talk or even hug, her love of music was one of the few ways the family could see the life and the spirit within Shylae.

She was a little girl with big brown eyes and chubby cheeks, her face usually framed by several small ponytails.

She was a little girl with a tragic life marked by a carousel of caregivers who tried -- and often struggled -- to give the severely mentally and physically disabled girl a good life.

Lorrie M. Thomas

Police found the Shylae, 9, dead in a Vienna Township storage unit Wednesday. Her adoptive mother and biological aunt, Lorrie M. Thomas, is being accused of second-degree murder in Shylae's death, which authorities say was caused by severe malnourishment.

"You played music and she'd turn her head," said Josette Thomas, a cousin who at one point had custody of Shylae. "She loved voices and would be so happy when we talked to her."

Shylae couldn't do a lot, but even those with low cognitive skills are aware and fully capable of feeling love and care.

"They do show signs of pain and joy," said Julie Jones, a Community Mental Health supervisor of the child and family services for development disabilities program. "So there is a smile or relaxation of bodies when they are being hugged or held."

And her family knows that -- remembering her smile when they kissed her little toes.

Born healthy, her family and friends recall how beautiful she was - a typical baby that would cry and kick her feet when she needed attention.

"She was a happy, healthy, loving baby," Josette Thomas said.

It didn't last long.

At 3-months-old, Shylae got her head caught between the mattress and bars in her crib and she couldn't breathe. The lack of oxygen caused severe brain damage.

She became unable to move much more than her head, although her foot would sometimes tap to the music. She was confined to a wheelchair and had to be fed by a tube inserted in her stomach.

"She couldn't do nothing but just look and smile every now and then," said Michael Moore, the father of one of Shylae's sisters. "I think she could probably understand, but you couldn't tell."

Eventually Shylae's biological mother, Rachel Thomas, decided she could no longer care for the girl adequately, family said. At first, Rachel's mother stepped in to help, Josette Thomas said.

Rachel Thomas' parental rights were terminated. It's uncertain if it was done voluntarily.

Whether she was forced or not, prosecutors said Rachel didn't show up to the termination hearing.

Ryan Garza | The Flint JournalJosette Thomas (right), a cousin and former caretaker of Shylae Thomas, and her friend Tinisha Cephus of Flint leave 67th District court in downtown Flint after Lorrie Thomas' arraignment Friday.

And, Josette Thomas took custody of the girl, still less than 1 year old.

Rachel Thomas' other children -- girls now 11 and 13 and a boy 17 -- were taken in by various family members.

A doctor told Josette Thomas that Shylae wouldn't live past the age of 5. Still, Josette Thomas said she shuttled Shylae back and forth to a Shriner's Hospital in Chicago for treatment -- trying to give the girl a good life.

"(Her body) was all twisted up, but they got her legs to bend," Josette said. "She was always happy when I had her."

FLINT JOURNAL EXTRAS

Related articles:

•12:35 p.m., April 24, 2009: Shylae Thomas considered one of 'the worst' neglect cases seen locally

•11:54 p.m., April 24, 2009: Shylae Thomas' mother to face second degree murder, other charges

•10:07 p.m., April 24, 2009: Shylae Thomas weighed 33 pounds when she died; family blames DHS

• 9:39 p.m., April 23, 2009: Prosecutor expected to decide Friday on charges in 9-year-old's death

• 12:29 p.m., April 23, 2009: Shylae Thomas' case puts adoption process in spotlight

• 9:52 p.m., April 22, 2009: Prosecutor could decide Friday on criminal charges in death of 9-year-old quadriplegic found dead in storage unit

• 11:04 a.m., April 22, 2009: Mother of 9-year-old girl who was found dead believed to be in jail

• 9:39 a.m., April 22, 2009: Body of missing 9-year-old quadriplegic girl, Shylea Thomas, is found

While family won't go into details on why, Josette Thomas also eventually lost custody because of personal issues.

Although there are no available court records on transferring custody of Shylae, family said the girl, then about 3, and her younger sister then went to Lorrie Thomas, Rachel's sister and Josette's cousin.

Lorrie Thomas had at least two children, with a third either just born or on the way.

For the first couple years, they remained close with the extended family. Shylae was able to see her sisters and brother often and Josette Thomas said she stopped by as often as she could.

About three years ago, family said the relationship started to change.

Lorrie Thomas' daughter, then 12, became pregnant and added a sixth child to the family. Lorrie herself had another child the following year. And, Lorrie Thomas' daughter, now 15, had another child earlier this year.

"She started separating herself from our side of the family," Josette Thomas said. "I haven't seen Shylae in a year. Lorrie wouldn't let nobody see her."

Worries mounted.

One of Shylae's sisters, who is now an adult, was so upset that she began calling the Department of Human Services to check on Shylae and the other sister in Lorrie Thomas' care, Josette Thomas said.

A cousin, Ebony Thomas, tried to get Shylae's sister to sneak upstairs and take a picture of the girl. She wanted to see what Shylae looked like -- to see if she was being treated well, to see if she was sick.

"Lorrie jumped up and said no," said Ebony Thomas, who adopted two of Shylae's siblings more than 10 years ago. "I can't even remember the last time I saw Shylae."

A social worker called police Tuesday after being unable to locate Shylae, although her wheelchair remained in the home. DHS filed its first formal complaint with the court against Lorrie Thomas last week.

On Tuesday, Josette and Ebony drove by Lorrie Thomas' East Pierson Road home. Police cars were parked out front, along with DHS vehicles.

They learned later that Shylae, whose name is sometimes spelled Shylea, had been missing for weeks.

Police said Lorrie Thomas initially told investigators that Shylae had gone to Virginia with a friend and the rest of the family would be moving there soon. Police searched the home and surrounding area before Lorrie finally told them the Shylae was dead and was in a storage unit in Vienna Township, Prosecutor David Leyton said.

Shylae's tiny 33-pound body had been wrapped in a garbage bag and shoved in a plastic bin, moth balls sprinkled on top. Police believe she had been dead for six weeks.

Ebony Thomas said she broke down when she found out Shylae was dead -- although she tried to be strong in front of her children, Shylae's biological siblings.

Shylae's 13-year-old sister, she said, is devastated.

"The last couple times (her sister) went there, Lorrie wouldn't let her see Shylae," Ebony Thomas said. "I just can't imagine what happened. Even if you went in the room and she was passed away, why didn't you get help?

"But I wonder, how long did she think she could go without us ever seeing Shylae again?"