Family Wants Justice in Baby’s Death; Mother’s Boyfriend Charged

Tensions run high between family members at the Cleveland County Courthouse on Tuesday morning.

The hostility is in response to the death of a 4-month-old girl and the man charged in her death, 25-year-old Shaun Wadlow. The family and extended family of the baby got into a shouting match outside the courthouse following a court appearance by the suspect. Many family members were there in support of the suspect.

“We're not trying to have confrontation we just want justice,” said Taylor Hughes, an extended family member.

Both sides arrived – for a preliminary hearing conference for Wadlow, who is charged with first degree murder in the death of the baby girl.

“She was just a great baby, she was laughing, I mean she was just a great baby, she never cried,” said Jennifer Yount, Khe-Lani’s Grandmother. Court documents reveal back in February, while in the care of Wadlow, the mother’s boyfriend, Khe-lani suffered a severe brain injury consistent with trauma-child abuse. She later died.

“We have love for her, and we want people to know that she was an amazing child and what happened to her wasn't okay,” Hughes said. Wadlow has pleaded not guilty in the baby's death. However, Khe-lani's extended family says they will continue to show up until they get answers.

“That's all that we're really asking for is that we find out what happened and that we get justice for her because if we don't fight for her, she can't fight for herself, she was only 4 months old,” Hughes said. “I understand that they are upset, you know, but we want justice Khe-lani and we're not going to stop.”

Outside the courthouse, we asked Wadlow's supporters for a comment, but they declined. Wadlow is due back in court for a preliminary hearing on January 12.