GREECE, N.Y. – Community members rallied Wednesday afternoon to support Cyonna Badger, the mother of 7-year-old Hakeem, who died after being hit by a U-Haul truck in July while crossing West Ridge Road in Greece. Demonstrators gathered outside the Hall of Justice, in downtown Rochester, calling for the charges against Badger to be dropped.
“I’m here to support a friend, neighbor, and a mother in a community that I feel like is being wrongly accused,” said Allison Henderson.
Henderson, participated in the demonstration with a megaphone and wrote messages on the sidewalk, expressing her belief that the incident was a tragic accident.
“This is a tragedy that happened to her, to her child. It was an accident, she didn’t push her kid in front of that truck,” said Henderson.
Badger faces serious charges, including homicide. Police stated she was walking Hakeem and other children across West Ridge Road during a green light. The Monroe County District Attorney’s Office claims to have evidence, including video footage, to support the charges. She ‘s been indicted by a grand jury on Criminally Negligent Homicide and Endangering the Welfare of a Child.
“Mentally she is going through a lot right now. I was there when it happened,” Henderson said.
Marsha: The community is out here, with chalk, writing messages that say rest in peace, drop all the charges and much more. Why are these messages important to have written here for Cyonna?
Cherriese Scott: Because it is a criminalization of an accident. Like there is absolutely no reason she should have any charges. There’s absolutely no reason she should be going through additional trauma on top of loosing a child.
Scott, is with the Diverse Mosaic Community Center. She has been advocating for the Badger family after Child Protective Services began investigating Badger’s ability to care for her 4-year-old daughter following Hakeem’s death. The daughter has since been removed from Badger’s care.
“We have to want the best outcomes for families. And pushing someone to their breaking point this can’t be it,” Scott said.
Badger is scheduled to appear in court on Friday before Judge Julie Hahn. The driver of the U-Haul truck has not been charged.
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‘She needs healing, not handcuffs’: Protestors back mother facing homicide charge in death of son hit by U-Haul WHEC.com.
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