Syesha Mercado’s 13 month old son, Amen’Ra is still in the custody of Manatee County Child Protective Services in Florida after the American Idol season 7 alum and her partner, Tyron Deener, brought him to a All Children’s Hospital emergency room on March 11. Syesha held a press conference on Mother’s Day (May 9). It’s not clear how many outlets attended, but FOX 13 has the story, including CFS’ side of the story.
Related: American Idol’s Syesha Mercado STILL Fighting to Regain Custody of Son
“I’m a breastfeeding mother who recently found out that I was pregnant and my milk supply went down and my son was refusing to take the fluids we were giving him,” Syesha explained. The young boy was having a hard time transitioning from breastfeeding to bottle and solid foods.
Syesha Mercado Wails as Florida CPS Takes Newborn Infant Away (Video)
“Instead of educating myself and my family and providing us with resources, I was met with a lot of judgment and accusations that literally started to spiral out of control,” she said.
Hospital staff suggested a B-12 shot.
The couple claim that they asked for more information, but were met by law enforcement and investigators with Manatee County Child Protective Services. “Never could I have imagined going to that specific hospital to get help for my child, but walking away without my child,” said Syesha.
However,investigators said doctors called due to concerns over Amen’Ra’s failing health.
Doctors at the Hospital claimed Amen’Ra would die without immediate help
“Our investigators learned through medical professionals that this child was malnourished, underweight, very unhealthy, and we were also told by these medical professionals that unless he got the treatment that he needed, ongoing, consistent treatment, that he would die,” said Randy Warren, the public information officer with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.
Manatee County Child Protective Services said a judge chose to place Amen’Ra at first in a medical foster care home. “It’s our understanding that there had been a breakdown. A lack of medical care even up to us starting our investigation,” said Warren.
In a statement to FOX 13 Syesha said that she favors a “holistic approach to health care” and that her son “has been seen by medical doctors and a lactation specialist before his visit to All Children’s Hospital.”
Syesha and her son will be reunited
The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office closed its investigation in March. They said Amen’Ra has gained weight and is thriving and hope he will soon be reunited with his parents. But a judge will decide when Amen’ra will be reunited with his parents.
“Every child wants to go back home. We want them to go back home. It just needs to happen at the appropriate time,” added Warren.
“I refuse to let my story be unseen and unheard,” said Syesha.
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