MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Family members who showed up to a flag raising to remember 2-year-old Jermyle Campbell said someone dropped the ball in making sure he was in safe hands.
“It’s just sad. A sad occasion to just be here today on behalf of Jermyle Scott,” Angela Campbell said.
Monday was the first time Angela Campbell spoke out since her family member, 2-year-old Jermyle, was killed, and WREG uncovered she fought for custody.
“I just wish things would`ve gotten better before he left this world,” Campbell said.
Campbell was never granted custody and Jermyle stayed in the home with his mother, Raven Campbell, and his grandmother.
Jermyle was found dead after police said he was smothered under a bedroom mattress.
“I just think they failed me on every corner that he was in a safe place,” Campbell explained. “I just knew it wasn`t safe for him.”
As a result of Jermyle’s placement and subsequent death, a memorial flag now flies outside of the Memphis Child Advocacy Center to remember him.
“I can`t speak to our involvement directly with this family or any other family,” Virginia Stallworth, executive director of the Memphis Child Advocacy Center, said.
Stallworth could not talk about Jermyle’s case but said it shines a light on the fact more must be done to prevent child abuse deaths across the country.
“We’ve got more work to do. No question about it,” Stallworth explained.
While Campbell said the state should have done more to ensure Jermyle’s safety, Shelby County District Attorney Amy Weirich told WREG it seemed like DCS and Juvenile Court did their jobs.
“Looking at what we know now it appears that everybody did what they could to try to save this little boy,” Weirich said.
Jermyle’s mother, Raven,was charged with first-degree murder and could face life in prison or the death penalty if found guilty.
He is currently being held on a $70,000 bond and expected back in court on Monday, June 29.
