Taco John’s To Host Fundraiser For Recovering Infant, Update On Baby’s Condition

Taco John’s in Laramie is hosting a fundraiser on Wednesday, December 10 to help an infant who sustained head injuries at a local home daycare. Taco John’s, located at 2114 Grand Avenue, will donate 25% of their total sales that day from 7 a.m. until 11 p.m.  to the family to help with medical expenses and other needs. In addition, people will be able to donate additional funds, all of which will go to the family.

A 36-year-old Laramie woman, Mishawnna Jennings, was arrested on November 5, 2014 in connection with the eight-month-old boy’s injuries. Charging documents show that Jennings is charged with Aggravated Child Abuse, a felony punishable of up to 25 years imprisonment. She was originally charged with Felony Child Abuse which is punishable of up to five years imprisonment.

Jennings has not yet made her initial appearance in court for the new charge of Aggravated Child Abuse. She is expected to appear in Albany County Circuit Court to hear the charge at 9 a.m. on Monday, November 17.

According to the boy’s mother, the infant was released from the Denver Children’s Hospital to go home today. She says it is still unclear how long her son, who turned nine-months-old while recovering in the hospital, will be affected by his injuries. She says he is expected to require therapy for many years.

“They said that he will be doing therapy probably until he is about six years old when they can really see how his brain is functioning, and his learning skills, and his eyes and hearing,” she says.

According to court documents filed on November 12, medical personnel at the Children’s Hospital advised authorities that some of his injuries indicate “a definite shaking component.” He suffered a skull fracture, brain bleed, hemorrhaging in both eyes, and a possible small fracture to his knee.

Jennings is currently being held at the Albany County Detention Center. No bond has been set for her new charge at this time.