Kendall Hunt

Six-month-old Kendall Hunt was murdered by Gary Shadron, his mother's boyfriend, one day after a judge ignored confirmed cigarette burns.

This is the tragic story of six-month-old Kendall Hunt, murdered early one morning while those who loved and cherished him were sleeping. According to Devena Lee, Kendall's maternal grandmother, the state of Georgia did not follow procedure and allowed Kendall to become another statistic. She believes that if the state followed through instead of "dropping the ball," her precious grandson would be alive today.

Devena Lee with all she has remaining of Kendall

Spring of 1997, Mindy began dating a man she met while working at a local restaurant. Charlie returned to his wife and children, leaving Mindy alone and pregnant.

July of 1997, Mindy informed her family that she was pregnant. Although surprised, they stood by her decision to have the baby.

October of 1997 began the family's nightmares.

When Mindy was five months pregnant, she began dating Gary Shadron, a young man she had dated in high school unbeknownst to her parents.

Gary was constantly at the Lee's home and confessed his love for Mindy and her unborn child. Slowly, Gary began taking control of her life. Her friends stopped visiting and she dropped out of school. Gary would not allow Mindy to speak to anyone unless he was sitting beside her while she talked.

Thomas gave Gary an ultimatum: get a job or get out. Mindy isolated her family and decided she would move out if Gary was not allowed to live at the home. During this time, Mindy also decided to let someone adopt Kendall. After much deliberation between the Lees and Mindy and Gary, Mindy decided that her mother and stepfather would be able to keep Kendall until Mindy decided to raise Kendall herself. A Power of Attorney was drawn up for Kendall to be in the care of his grandmother.

Later, the Lee Family learned of Gary's violent criminal record, including stalking, threatening, and assaulting his family and young girls. Glynn County schools dismissed Gary for gun possession and threatening a girlfriend with the weapon. After pulling a knife on his stepfather and with each incident, Gary was sent to boot camp. He had a history of violence and diagnosed with manic depression.

On February 10, 1998, Kendall was born one minute before midnight. Gary looked at Kendall and said he "did not need this shit" and left. Gary returned to the hospital and told the family to leave.

For five days, the Lees were not allowed to see their grandson or their daughter. Thomas and Devena went to the Magistrate Court to discuss the situation with the judge and were told that since Mindy was past the age of a minor she could do what she wanted. Devena told the judge the exact names of those involved and was immediately directed to Julie Shadwoski, Director of Social Services. Since Mindy was a single mother and Gary was not with the biological father, there may be some help for the Lees.

Shadwoski was able to get Mindy to agree to take Kendall and return home to the Lees and to participate in a group called Healthy Families. The workers would come once a week to visit and help Mindy with Kendall. Thomas Lee stood his grounds and told Gary he would have to find a different place to live.

A few days later an altercation broke out with between Gary and other family members at the Lee home that eventually involved the police. The authorities had come for Kendall, but with the Lee's Power of Attorney, they had to leave Kendall in the home.

Mindy recovered and returned to work and Kendall began to grow into a happy baby boy. When Mindy began seeing Gary again and missed appointments with her Healthy Families worker, Devena would keep the appointments and explain the situation. Devena told the worker she was worried and concerned about Gary's control over Mindy. Devena later found out that Mindy had saved some money and moved Kendall and herself in with Gary.

Devena was referred to DEFACS. Terri Davis, a representative with the organization, went to Mindy's home to photograph bruises that showed up on Kendall's body. Kendall was also taken to his doctor, Dr. Owens, to investigate the bruises.

May of 1998. Gary claimed that the bruises came from his nephew would had accidentally hit Kendall with a toy truck, but Dr. Owens said the bruises resembled a male's fingerprints.

June of 1998. Mindy called Devena at home and told her that she and Gary were having some problems. She also said that Kendall had been burnt in the process but it wasn't an emergency. Mindy claimed that while she was feeding Kendall, he reached up and knocked a cigarette out of her hand and burnt himself.

Devena knew Mindy didn't smoke and immediately assumed Gary had caused the burns. Kendall's hand was covered in round burns and blisters. She took Kendall to Child Protective Services in Georgia and the doctor's office. The caseworkers took photos of the burns and told Devena that after the doctor made a decision, they would act on this case. When Devena called the next morning to see about the conclusion of the situation she was told that the doctor believed the burns to be intentional and that Kendall would be placed in foster care.

She was told that since she was the grandmother she had no rights over Kendall even with a power of attorney. Devena was allowed to keep Kendall for a short period of time. As Devena Lee sat in her rocking chair holding Kendall, she promised him that no one would ever hurt him. It was a promise she would not be able to keep.

Previously, Gary made a harassing call to Devena at work and she filed a complaint; he was later arrested and jailed. At the custody hearing for Kendall, C. White, Kendall's biological father, showed up as a witness. Dr. Owens testified that the bruises and burns were intentional but Judge Manning ruled to place Kendall back in the home of Mindy and Gary, with the stipulation that Gary not be left alone with the baby.

On the same day as the custody hearing, Devena had to testify about the harassing call Gary made to her at work; he was placed on probation.

September of 1998. Devena called in to work because she was not feeling well the night before and was hit with the tragic news. A coworker told Devena that Kendall was dead and that Gary had been arrested for Kendall's drowning.

If only CPS had listened, Kendall Hunt would be a happy eight-year-old riding his rocking horse.
Now, the horse rocks alone.