“We have big news! We’re having a baby!” Briana’s son, Jonathon told her. What sweeter words than to hear you get to welcome new life into your family. Briana was delighted for her son, as she pondered whether the baby would be a boy or a girl and what his or her name would be. Never could she have imagined the story that would unfold over the next few years.
Sadly, in the following months, Jon and his girlfriend, Sunny, separated. Though their relationship ended, Jon, with his mom by his side, was still committed to raising their precious baby. But Sunny had different plans. Shortly before their breakup, she announced that she no longer wanted the child she once so anxiously awaited.
Briana was crushed as the words, “I’m not having it,” appeared on her phone. She pleaded with Sunny not to kill her child. She offered to help Sunny with anything that she needed and even to help Jon raise the child if Sunny did not want to keep the baby. She prayed fervently and reached out to family and friends to intercede for her grandbaby’s life. With the new heartbeat law in place, Briana was encouraged that Sunny could not get an abortion in their home state. By this time, Briana learned that Sunny was having a boy. The family named the baby boy, Levi.
Sunny, determined to have an abortion, made an appointment in a neighboring state that authorized abortions up until birth. Despite the heart wrenching news, Briana continued to pray. Levi’s life was at stake. As her grandson’s birthdate approached, Briana hoped for a miracle. August 2nd came and went with no announcement of Levi’s birth. The sad reality set in; Levi was gone.
Briana’s heart broke for her grandson, for her son, for their entire family. Motivated by love for her grandson, she speaks and advocates for prenatal babies who have no voice. She hopes to open a maternity home and call it “Levi’s Garden” in memory of her grandson. Her son Jon also hopes to start an organization called “Project Levi” to help fathers in similar situations.
I’d like to say that this was the end of the tragic story, but sadly it is not. Nearly a year after Levi’s expected birthdate, Briana received a notice in the mail. It was a summons demanding her appearance in court and a complaint accusing her of criminal harassment. After the initial shock, Briana looked closer at the documents and realized Sunny was her accuser. It didn’t make sense; she had not spoken to or seen Sunny for nearly a year. Now she was facing criminal charges and possibly jail time.
Briana contacted Life Legal for help. We are grateful to come alongside Briana in her time of need to defend her against these frivolous charges. Certainly, offering help and assistance to her grandson’s mother does not amount to harassment! Attorneys were in court last week and Briana’s case has been placed on the trial docket. We will stand with Briana to bring help to dads like her son Jon, and we will fight for Justice for Levi.
* true names of the individuals have been changed while the case is pending.