Summary

When Tyler and Mallory’s five-month-old son Jesse began seizing, they called 911 and rushed him to Cook Children’s Hospital, desperate to save his life. Within hours of the family’s arrival, however, Cook Children’s staff reported the parents to CPS, alleging Shaken Baby Syndrome—a diagnosis that is facing growing scrutiny from medical and legal experts nationwide. Once the allegation was made, law enforcement and CPS began interrogating the parents while their son fought for his life.

Over the following days, Jesse remained minimally responsive. His parents observed small movements they believed showed improvement, but hospital staff insisted these were only reflexes. On January 2, family friends connected the Canadas with parent advocate Krista Mcintire, attorney Brad Scalise, and defense consultant Judy Powell—professionals who previously worked with FFP in the successful defense of another Cook Children’s case involving similar allegations.

Cook Children’s pressed the parents to consent to brain-death testing and organ donation. Tyler and Mallory refused, but hospital staff informed them the next day that testing would proceed without their consent and that life support would be withdrawn if Jesse failed.

On January 4, attorney Scalise, with assistance from Texas Right to Life, obtained a temporary restraining order barring Cook Children’s Hospital from conducting further brain-death testing or withdrawing life-sustaining treatment.

On January 9, the judge extended the restraining order through January 20, giving the family more time to seek outside medical review. But less than twelve hours after this court victory, Jesse suddenly declined and passed away on the evening of January 9. He was six months old.

Rather than being allowed to grieve, the Canadas now face an ongoing CPS investigation and the possibility of losing custody of their four remaining children. FFP is working alongside the family’s legal team to defend the Canadas and ensure their children remain together.