In Support of Haleigh and Emilio Santiago

This is Emilio and Haleigh. Emilio is Haleigh's 1st child. At 11 days old Emilio got a fractured skull from accidentally going off the bed and was taken to the hospital. Given the nature of the injury, CPS was called and Emilio was put into foster care. Me, Amber, the biological grandma was asked to take temporary care of Emilio. Of course I said yes because there was no other option in my mind. Montgomery County in Dayton holds custody of Emilio, while I only have Kinship Care. Court will take place in March 2026 where I will be asked by the County to take custody. It's an obvious yes despite the struggle financially. Haleigh, mom, lives in Dayton Ohio and I myself live in Louisville Ohio. About a 3 1/2-4 hour drive. I have been out of work since 12/6/25 when Emilio was placed with me. Due to being out of work while getting everything in order with a newborn and now separating from someone I've been with for 15 years (because I took in my grandson), to financially not able to afford daycare. I've drained my bank account for things like formula, traveling to appointments, visitations and other needs for the baby. Since I am only a Kinship Caregiver until we go to court, I do not get a lot of financial assistance. The KSP check I get which is about $300, doesn't pay for a lot. Now add to the fact I'm not working, have to find a home and desperately trying to make sure my daughter spends as much time as she can seeing her newborn. There is no allotted visitation time as long as I'm supervising. When Emilio and I visit we try to make the most of it. I also make sure Emilio sees his other grandparents while I'm Dayton. Keeping contact with his family is very important to me. I don't have a lot of family. My parents have both unexpectedly passed away the past few years and the rest of my family lives far away. I have the best memories of my mom with my children and I can only hope to have the same. Haleigh is a young mother but wants to take responsibility. She just graduated last spring and hopes to be a phlebotomist. She has not been able to get her license and struggling to get a job without. Depression has her feeling like she wants to shut down and I can't say I blame her. Once the case is over and she doesn't have to deal with any courta, restrictions, and supervision, she wants to be back in her hometown where I am. We have always been very close. I am at a point where I don't know when Emilio and I can visit again, and she has no way to our area. I'm stuck at the mercy of sucking up my pride and asking for help. I've always been very independent and worked for everything on my own. I make an honest living but live paycheck to paycheck. I also have a 10yr old boy, Colin. He's the best Uncle and if you ask, Emilio is HIS baby. Y kids and now my grandson are my world. They're basically the only immediate family I have. I would do anything to see them smile. I can do without but making sure Haleigh and Emilio have time to engage and bond is so important to me. My mom was my best friend. I can only hope the same for Haleigh. I appreciate you taking time to read our situation. Anything donated is beyond appreciated and a blessing. Gas cards, food while traveling, and lodging have been the toughest for me to afford. Emilio and I ha have slept in my car a few times because I couldn't afford a hotel, but Ohio winters are freezing. Sleeping in a car at a truck stop isn't for a baby nor she he have to. Again I'm doing everything I can to make visits happen, and help my daughter learn to be a 1st time mom. I will ret rn to work soon and Emilio will start daycare but assistance and applications take a couple of months to process. During this time we're making as many visits as possible. I'm terrifible at writing and making things make sense so please ask any questions and I'll be sure to answer them all. Thank you again from my family to yours.