FLINT (WJRT) -
(11/11/12) - A toddler is fighting for his life at Hurley. Police say a three-year old boy was beaten by his mother's boyfriend.
That man is facing a first degree abuse charge. The community is praying the young boy survives.
"I would love everyone to pray for him, for a speedy recovery," said Quinlin Parkes, the boy's father.
A windy night in Flint couldn't put out these candles burning bright for 3-year-old Jordin Parkes, nicknamed JJ.
The child abuse awareness group, Dominick's Law, held a prayer vigil Sunday night at University Square Park.
"It means a lot to me that strangers and loved ones can come out and support JJ, and not even JJ, just everyone else, every little kid that's going through this right now," Parkes said.
He flew across the country to be here for his son.
Police believe JJ's mother's boyfriend, Robert Martin III, severely beat him. He's looking at a child abuse charge, while the community stands strong for the toddler.
"He needs to know that people aren't here to hurt him, there are good people out there," said Elli Mae, an organizer with Dominick's Law.
"People have to start standing up as a community and working together, that's part of what a community is. If we don't do that, things like this will start to get worse and that's all that will happen," said Ryan Loree with Team Revelation Mixed Martial Arts Community Outreach Inc.
And while JJ is still in critical condition, his family and even complete strangers, will keep their light burning for him.
"I believe he is going to pull through and all the prayers that are going through, and the hospital is dong everything they can to stay around him 24/7 to make sure he's OK," Parkes said.
