WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH/Gray News) – A Kansas mother says she is continuing to deal with the loss of her infant son who died while in the care of a family friend last year.
According to Randi Freeman, she trusted the woman caring for her 4-month-old son Elijah.
Police updated their investigation this week with the announcement of 42-year-old Amanda Vinardi’s arrest. She has been charged with aggravated child endangerment.
“She would call me, text me at work, tell me about his day, tell me every time he went to the bathroom or ate or anything,” Freeman said. “That’s what made me trust her so much was how good she was with him.”
But that trust was shattered last April when Elijah was found unresponsive at the babysitter’s home.
Freeman said she rushed to her child’s side that day at an area hospital.
“Seven nurses were surrounding him – just a little baby. Surrounding him and trying to keep him breathing,” Freeman said.
Elijah’s mother said he was born weighing 6 pounds 8 ounces. She expressed immense pride, calling him her “biggest accomplishment.”
However, that day at the hospital changed everything. Doctors had to restart his heart four times.
“They asked me if I wanted to keep trying, and I said yes, but then they told me his kidneys were failing and it was too late,” she said.
Initially, doctors thought Elijah died from an intestinal disease, but Freeman insisted on getting more answers and having lab tests sent to Kansas City.
Months later, an autopsy revealed that Elijah had methamphetamines in his system.
“I was praying to God that it was an accident, that she never would’ve hurt him on purpose,” Freeman said.
But she said she also didn’t listen to her instincts.
“I felt something was off, but I told myself I was being overdramatic. I listened to that person and it got my son killed,” Freeman said.
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