Someone in competition with Michael Jackson....

[tasker109]

here is an unbelievable story!!

HOLLISTON -- Teen mother Holly Graham gasped for breath as speeding cars swerved around her infant baby, who had crawled from her home onto a busy commuter road and sat playfully clapping his hands in traffic.

"My brother yelled, `Your kid's in the friggin' road,'" Graham said. "I ran out there. I couldn't breathe."

The 18-year-old mother sprinted out to Rte. 16, Washington Street, and collected 1-year-old Shayne from the heroic man who stopped to pick him up that day in early October.

Now Graham is being investigated for negligence by the Department of Social Services and can attest to the importance of keeping a close watch on children.

"There was a good reason for DSS to be here," she said. "I would have called DSS if I saw a baby in the road, too. I don't think I would have given him back to the mother. I'm lucky."

DSS decided to open a case, according to Michael MacCormack, acting director of public affairs.

"We did investigate the situation and the outcome is we found sufficient evidence to support the allegations that were filed with us," he said. "Now we're working with the family to address the concerns."

He would not say what the specific allegations were, only that the complaint fit the general category of child abuse and/or neglect.

DSS assistance could include parenting classes, home visits from a parenting aide and/or counseling. The state agency has 45 days to conclude its assessment, and then will decide whether to close the case or create a longer service plan.

At the time of the incident, Shayne couldn't walk, so Graham hardly expected him to crawl out the front door, across the porch, down two concrete steps, across the 30-foot lawn and onto Rte. 16.

But Shayne defied the odds and in his burnt-orange sweatsuit, the blond-haired boy crawled onto the 45 mph road in the early afternoon of Sunday, Oct. 6.

Graham's older brother Jonathan, 20, was watching television with Shayne, but didn't notice him leave. Holly was in the next room.

Once Shayne hit the road, several cars steered around him, thinking the orange mass was a pile of trash, police said.

But Highland Street resident Michael Brumber caught a different glimpse. He told police he couldn't tell what it was at first, but then the baby raised his head and clapped his hands.

"When I pulled over, a woman in the car behind me stopped, and when she got out she asked, `Is that a live baby?'"

Brumber picked up Shayne and began calling out for a parent or guardian.

The only house in sight was at 2016 Washington St., about a half-mile from the Milford line, where Graham, 18, lives with Shayne, her mother, her brother and twin sisters, aged 7. The house is across the street from ABC Glass and is for sale.

Jonathan yelled out to Holly, who ran to fetch Shayne.

Brumber reported the incident to police.

"When we arrived, the mother had already fled the area," said Officer John Scanlon. "She knew we were coming, and she was afraid we'd take her child."

Graham's ex-boyfriend stopped by the police station the next day to explain the situation, and police caught up with her a few days later.

"There was no indication the child was abused or neglected, but it was different, it was odd," said Chief James Peterson. "We'd be negligent if we didn't report it."

Brumber received the first-ever Citizen's Award from the Holliston Police Association this week for averting tragedy.

"Any number of people chose not to stop," said Officer Douglas Nix, association president. "Without regard for his personal safety, Michael (Brumber) acted quickly and selflessly."

Nix thanked Brumber for helping "all those who could have been but were not connected to this potential disaster."

Graham found Brumber's name and address in the phone book a few days after the incident and thanked him with a personal note.

Graham studied culinary arts at Keefe Tech in Framingham, but hasn't been able to find a job. The baby's father, who is about Graham's age, hasn't seen him in five months and does not pay child support, Graham said.

The young mother attends parenting classes and receives home aid from Healthy Families, an organization that helps young single mothers. She said she hopes to find a job soon.

As for keeping an eye on Shayne, Graham said she no longer leaves anything to chance. She keeps most doorways between rooms blocked by small child or dog fences, and the outside door is always firmly locked, she said.

"I won't take my eyes off of him," she said. "I keep a much closer eye on him."


.......IF she gets to keep him!!! isnt that the stupidest thing you ever heard of??


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