I am writing this petition to demand justice for an innocent child who tragically lost his life due to the negligence and cruelty of Brittany Napier, a babysitter from Dunbar, WV. This petition is personal to me as it involves my niece's baby, but it also resonates with anyone who despises child abuse and believes in protecting our most vulnerable members of society.

On Tuesday July 11, 2023, my niece entrusted her precious two-year-old baby into the care of Brittany Napier, a woman known for babysitting multiple children and being a mother herself. Little did she know that this decision would lead to an unimaginable tragedy.

Brittany Napier callously locked this defenseless toddler in a room all alone, devoid of any food or water. To ensure his captivity, she heartlessly  placed a queen-sized mattress over his playpen, trapping him inside. When the child attempted to escape from this horrifying confinement, his innocent head became wedged between the mattress and the playpen. Tragically, he suffocated and lost his life in that very room where he should have felt safe.

This act of extreme negligence cannot be dismissed as mere child neglect; it was an intentional act that resulted in manslaughter – the unlawful killing of another human being without malice aforethought. We firmly believe that charging Brittany Napier solely with child neglect would not serve justice nor adequately reflect the gravity of her actions.

We urge law enforcement authorities in Dunbar to thoroughly investigate this case and bring forth appropriate charges against Brittany Napier for manslaughter. The loss suffered by my family is irreparable; however, ensuring that justice prevails will help prevent such tragedies from happening again.

It is crucial for our community's safety that individuals responsible for such heinous acts face appropriate consequences under the law. By charging Brittany Napier with manslaughter, we send a clear message that child abuse and neglect will not be tolerated in Dunbar or anywhere else.

We call upon the authorities to consider the following facts and statistics, which highlight the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions:

1. According to the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS), an estimated 1,840 children died from abuse or neglect in the United States in 2019 alone.
2. The American Academy of Pediatrics states that severe neglect can have long-lasting physical, emotional, and cognitive effects on children.
3. Research conducted by Child Welfare Information Gateway shows that perpetrators of child abuse often have a history of violence or criminal behavior.

We implore law enforcement officials to conduct a thorough investigation into this case, considering all relevant evidence and witness testimonies. By charging Brittany Napier with manslaughter, justice will be served for this innocent child whose life was tragically cut short.

Sign this petition now to demand justice for our beloved angel and send a strong message against child abuse! Together, let us ensure that no more innocent lives are lost due to such horrific acts of negligence.

We have to stay strong for this baby and get the Justice he deserves. We  want to make sure there is no bond reduction, no plea deals, we want the max sentence allowed. We would like to start lobbying the West Virginia legislature to increase the sentencing on this crime from 3-15  years to 8-25 years. I encourage each and every one of you to send emails. Also, please join our group The  Coalition to Convict Brittany Napier on Facebook. 

info@kanawha.us

Send an email to the above address

Subject Line should read Debra Rusnak - Justice for Za’khi

Tell them a plea deal is not acceptable for this crime.
Be polite, but direct. Make your voices heard!

#justiceforzakhi. #full15

#JusticeForTheInnocent #ProtectOurChildren