Memorial website in the memory of your loved one

This memorial website was created in the memory of our loved one, Kelsey Briggs who was born in Oklahoma on December 28, 2002 and passed away on October 11, 2005 at the age of 2. We will remember her forever.

After nine months of documented abuse and two court hearings a Judge sent Kelsey back home to an abusive home. She remained in state custody and was to be supervised by state agencies. Her father was in Iraq fighting for our country while Kelsey was here fighting for her life.
 
On October 11, 2005 she was murdered. The cause of death was blunt force trauma to the abdomen. Two weeks later her stepfather was arrested on first degee murder. Her mother was later charged with two felonies of Child Abuse and Enabling Child Abuse. In April 2006 Kelsey's body was exhumed for a second autopsy where sexual abuse was documented. The stepfather's charges were amended to add the sexual abuse. 

On February 2, 2007 a plea negotiation was entered and approved by the paternal family. The stepfather plead guilty to a reduced charge of Enabling Child Abuse and received 30 years in prison. He has no possibility of parole for 25.5 years. 

The mother was found guilty of Enabling Child Abuse and sentenced to 27 years in prison. She is asking for a new trial. Trial notes for Raye Dawn's trial are available on kelseyspurpose.org

A new law has been named for Kelsey in Oklahoma to prevent this type of failure in our state system.

For more on Kelsey's story go to www.kelseyspurpose.org  


Hugs Across America

The Kelsey Briggs Chapter

Hugs Across America collects Teddy Bears for children in crisis. The Kelsey Briggs Chapter was created in Oklahoma to offer some comfort to the children taken into foster care. We will also share these bears with children in other areas of trauma. We recently sent 100 bears to the victims of the Greenburg, Kansas tornado. Anyone wishing to send a HUG to a child or start a group of your own please go to
www.hugsacrossamerica.net
click on Oklahoma
to contact Kelsey's Chapter or 
kelseyshugs@yahoo.com or ljjsweetin@yahoo.com

The Kelsey Briggs Foundation will give two memorial scholarhips each year. One for Kelsey and one in memory of Skyla Brooks. More details to follow soon.


My name is Kelsey

My name is Kelsey, I’m only two.
I’m way too young to know right from wrong, 
I can barely sing a children’s song.
When you hurt me, why can’t you see, 
I don’t understand, I’m not even three.
I try to walk, “can’t”.
My little body’s black and blue 
and now you have taken my family too.
I love my daddy and he loves me, 
Grandma, PaPa, where can you be?
I don’t forget, I think of you
and when I’m hurt, your love shines through.
It’s dark in here, I can’t go on------No! 
Wait there’s light, an angel’s song.
I feel God’s hand lift me away: 
he has the perfect place to play.
I know you hurt, I see your tears, 
but only God knows why I’m here.
Daddy, I’m okay, my body’s new 
and I will never, ever forget you.
My name was Kelsey.
 
Written by Connie Mathews 



Our family was blessed that God chose us to know her, love her, and fight for her. Kelsey is our hero and will forever be our Angel.


Toys for Kelsey's Kids

The Christmas following Kelsey's death we found ourselves with gifts we had already purchased for Kelsey. We decided to donate them to another child to put under the tree. When her Daddy realized Kelsey had a room full of barely used toys that needed love he chose to donate them too. We were able to provide Christmas for 43 children that year. The following Christmas we still felt the need to do something for children that needed a special gift under the tree. Toys for Kelsey's Kids started Christmas 2006. Toys were collected in several sites and were donated in the area they were collected to more than 200 children in foster care. We hope this will grow to benefit more children in the coming years.



 




 




Click here to see Kelsey Briggs's
Family Tree
Tributes and Condolences
iv fell in love with that smile x   / Heidi Wood (none)
iv seen a lot of storys on my computer but when i see kelseys big eyes and that gawjus smile my heart melted and in the pics of kelsey and her daddy i know its love and my heart breaks thinking of how he feels xxevery time i see a picture of kelsey i...  Continue >>
I wish so much, it hurts....   / Angela Stolz (wishing I was )
  How could someone look into those beautiful babies eyes and do what was done to her????? She is such a little sweetie. You can see the love her daddy has for her what is wrong with the mother???? Oh how I wish I could just hold her and ke...  Continue >>
Blue eyes, babies got blue eyes!   / Angela Stolz (just another day thinking about you )
 Why does this happen to babies. I wish I could bring you and all the other children back and wrap you all safely in my arms. I dont understand what makes people so mean. I have been so consumed with heartbreak for all of you little kids. When I...  Continue >>
I will never forget you....   / Angela Stolz (still a sad passerby )
I love this picture so much. What a beautiful little princess! I wish so much that I was able to meet her. I just want to pick her up and cuddle with her. She has the most amazing little smile. I cannot get her out of my mind. Why are people so cru...  Continue >>
US observer article shares different angle   / Dora W. (none)
An article by the US observer puts things in perspective. All around Kelsey have been witnesses to the abuse in one way or another which does not exonerate the mother or the family involved. Mei you be able to live in peace with the decisions you mad...  Continue >>
Brokenhearted / Hailley B. (Heartbroken onlooker )    Read >>
HEARTBROKEN / Lisa Smyth (none just completey heartbroken )    Read >>
angel / Danielle Stencil (none)    Read >>
from the other side of the world...  / Nicola     Read >>
always on my mind  / May     Read >>
Chilren are here to love....  / Angela Stolz (just a sad passerby )    Read >>
Hii / Georgia Lockyer (Friend)    Read >>
Social Issues  / Dynasty Mays     Read >>
Little angel  / Jennifer Huff     Read >>
Kelsey / Jonni Spencer (none)    Read >>
More tributes and condolences...
Click here to pay tribute or offer your condolences
 
Kelsey's Photo Album
She called the casts her socks.
Jump To:
Go to Album >> Open full-screen Slideshow >>
Transfer Photos into a Hardbound Book >>

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