Never give up on the fight for your babies

05/30/2025

I just can't believe this

UPDATE: The medical examiner says Rachel Stewart was shot once in the face, above her right eye and Todd Patterson was shot once in the right side of his head.
-Investigators say the gun was found next to Patterson's leg and they believe the evidence shows he shot her, then shot himself.
-They say they don't know a motive at this time.

Investigators are looking into a possible murder su***de in Checotah.

WHO: Todd Patterson and Rachel Stewart

WHAT INVESTIGATORS SAY AT THIS TIME:
-The couple was found dead on 2nd Street in Checotah in front of a home where some of Patterson's relatives live.
-Both had been shot and a gun was found at the scene.
-The Medical Examiner will determine exactly what happened, but, investigators don't believe any other people were involved in the shooting at this time.
-Stewart's child was in the car at the time, but, investigators don't believe the child saw what happened.
-The mother of Patterson's two sons, says their sons had been removed from their custody and Stewart was their D-H-S case worker, then Patterson and Stewart developed a relationship.
-DHS says Stewart worked for the Department from August of last year to just three weeks ago.
-D-H-S sent us a statement that says "This is a heartbreaking situation. We are continuing to work with local law enforcement during the investigation.”
-Patterson's family says he was doing all the things asked of him to try to get his sons back, including rehab and making all his meetings and they are shocked by the deaths.
-We'll have more detail on this case, tonight at 9 and 10pm.

https://www.newson6.com/story/68377e91cdcb98347cc93233/investigation-underway-in-checotah-after-reported-murder-su***de-with-child-present

05/05/2025

Knowing that I should have them in my arms and I should be able to read them their goodnight story, eats me up every single day because they are not here. And it's not fair. They where stolen from me. It's hard to get thru each and every day.
Grief is real and it's like glitter! You can clean it up but it's still there in every crack and crevice.

05/04/2025

Hello, my name is Lacey, and I have been through hell and back fighting for my children. For 7 years ...
From day one, I have never given up on them. Many times throughout the years, I found myself discouraged during incredibly difficult moments and wanted to give up on life.

That's when God spoke to me one morning as I witnessed a beautiful sunrise. He said, "Rise up, Lacey," and in that moment, I realized that if I was going to choose to RISE UP ABOVE my struggles, I might as well SHINE TOO—shine the light for others going through similar battles.
I have to stay here for my babies and for you all.

To every mother and father walking this painful path: I see you. I feel your tears, your sleepless nights, and the ache in your heart that never truly goes away. When you look at empty bedrooms or photographs of smiles you miss, know that your love is powerful beyond measure. Your strength, even on days when you can barely stand, inspires me. This journey has taught me that a parent's love knows no boundaries—it climbs mountains, crosses oceans, and persists through the darkest storms.

Each of you fighting to hold your family together is not alone. Your struggles are valid, your pain is real, and your determination is a beautiful testament to the sacred bond between parent and child. When the system turns its back on you, when paperwork matters more than people, remember that there is a community of us who understand exactly what you're experiencing.

So even though I still have days when I struggle, I am here fighting for you, your family, and mine. I'm here for you. Message me anytime.

I believe it's important to share that I did everything asked of me by FDC and DHS; however, this system failed me and my family on many different levels, as they have failed so many other families. They truly did us wrong.

But I believe all shall be restored someday. Hold onto hope—it may be just a flicker some days, but it's enough to light the way forward. Your children need you to keep believing, to keep fighting, to keep loving.

If you're going through something similar, please reach out, and don't you dare give up. Your story matters. Your love matters. And most importantly, you matter.
# A Message of Hope

04/01/2025

You don’t need to be perfect. You need to be kind to yourself.