Blake showing minor improvement

Blake Sampson the baby at the heart of the Charles Edwin Brooks, Jr case is making some progress but is still very much fighting for his life. It was first reported on April 23, 2021, that Charles picked up Blake from his grandmother’s Texarkana house and drove from there to his Dallas home with his stepson. Charles then later called Madison before she left work and told her that Blake fell down the stairs. Madison then called 911. After an officer arrived at the scene, he called an ambulance to take Blake to Medical City hospital in Dallas, where doctors found evidence of abuse in multiple blunt force trauma and severe bruising and brain swelling; and adult bite marks on the boy’s body.

Soon after, the police called for an investigation, resulting in an arrest on April 30, 2021, of Charles Brooks Jr. After a three-day search, the suspect was taken into custody on Monday, May 3, 2021, at 3:38 p.m. by Dallas County Sheriffs and charged with Injury to Child/Elderly/Disabled with Intent to cause Severe Bodily Injury and Serious Mental Deficiency or Impairment. This is a first-degree felony under Texas Penal Code 22.04, punishable by a maximum sentence of 99 years or life in prison and/or a maximum fine of $10,000.

He was able to bond out at the time of his arrest, but in January 2022, after cutting his ankle monitor, he went on the run from authorities. A manhunt was then issued, and he was later captured. With the public outcry, his bond was then revoked. The suspect is currently in jail awaiting trial. At this time, no trial date has been set due to “Covid”, as many trials are behind.

Carmen Sampson, one of the grandparents of Blake, reported on her social media page May 30 that “Blake showed some improvements. He had ‘desatted’ last night and had about 9 seizures within an hour and a half. BUT they were only 3-5 seconds long. (Last time I saw him they were 5-17 seconds, so MUCH better.)

“He is cut back on the seizure meds just a little. He is on Zyrtec, antibiotics, Keppra, and Onfi (10) still for seizures. Lots of secretions today. He is still having trouble focusing BUT for about 4 minutes he was with me with me...like...I haven’t seen before- since what happened to him happened. (It’s a) big improvement here. Y’all will be happy to know that he is making LOTS of noises. I saw quite a few smiles, and he tried to interact more. I am very thankful to see improvement and very thankful to have gotten to see him today. Thank you all so much for your continued prayers!!”

On June 5, she reported to the Journal-Sun that “Blake is currently residing at Nexus Children’s Rehabilitation Center where he is receiving intensive therapy. (Blake suffered the abuse at two years old and is currently three years old.)

At Nexus, their first goal is to have the ventilator removed. Blake currently is on life support but is still making small progress. He has a special chair that the nurses set him in in addition to his therapy.

“Blake is able to express his emotions more accurately and frequently. After over a year, I have heard Blake laugh for the first time! This past weekend, in fact!”

“He could make tiny noises before as he tried to explore his voice, but to hear him audibly laugh was a tear-jerking moment for sure. He is still desaturating occasionally and having epileptic seizures. However, the seizures are much, much shorter.

“We will take any and all improvements and are still holding on that Blake will someday receive the miracle so many have been praying for,” said Carmen.