A Mother’s Unfathomable Loss
In a moment that would forever alter her life, Fatima Nettles, then a 21-year-old soldier, faced a heart-wrenching scene.
She watched the small casket of her six-month-old daughter, Jada Kai Hickman, being lowered into the earth.
The baby, who had briefly brightened the lives of her parents, was adorned in a spotless white dress, a delicate bonnet, and tiny shoes.
This profound loss not only tore through Fatima’s heart but also deeply affected Kamaron Hickman, Jada’s father.
A Mystery Unfolds Two Decades Later
Twenty-two years after that sorrowful day, a bewildering and painful mystery confronts the parents.
They allege that at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Augusta, Georgia, there is no longer any sign of their daughter.
The grave that was supposed to be Jada’s final resting place now seemingly holds no casket, no remains – a shocking emptiness that has left Fatima and Kamaron, both dedicated military veterans, in a state of despair.
An Apology Without Closure
The situation took a turn when the parents received an email from Thomas Corn, a representative of Dignity Memorial, which manages Hillcrest Memorial Park.
Corn’s message conveyed apologies for the inability to recover Jada’s remains, citing the passage of time as a factor.
This response, however, only added to the parents’ shock and confusion.
Fatima, now serving as a chief warrant officer in strategic defense planning at the Pentagon, couldn’t fathom the news.
“What do you mean, she’s not there? Where is she at?” she questioned, her voice echoing the anguish of a mother in search of her child.
Reopening Old Wounds
For Kamaron Hickman, this new ordeal has been like reliving the past’s worst nightmare.
The pain of losing his baby daughter to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome years ago feels freshly inflicted.
“It just feels like a scab has been ripped open all over again. It’s all open again,” he says, his voice laden with the weight of renewed grief.
A Wall of Silence
In their quest for answers, the parents have been met with a frustrating silence.
Their attempts to communicate with both Thomas Corn and Clifton Atwood, the general manager of Hillcrest, have led nowhere.
The corporate responses have been evasive, offering no clarity or solace to the family’s pressing questions about their daughter’s missing remains.
A Troubled History
The backdrop to this distressing situation is the history of Service Corporation International, the parent company of Hillcrest Memorial Park.
This corporation, the largest owner of funeral homes and cemeteries in the nation, has faced multiple lawsuits alleging misconduct and mishandling of remains.
Despite settling several of these lawsuits, including a significant class-action case, the company has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
A Fight for Justice and Remembrance
Amidst their grief and confusion, Jada’s parents stand firm in their quest for answers and accountability.
“Somebody needs to be held accountable for this, because this should not happen,” Fatima states with conviction.
Their primary goal is to recover their daughter’s remains, to finally have a part of her close to them once again.
A Father’s Public Appeal
In a desperate attempt to find answers, Kamaron Hickman turned to social media.
He posted a video on his Facebook page, which quickly spread across platforms like TikTok.
In the video, he stands at his daughter’s supposed gravesite, expressing his confusion and determination to uncover the truth.
“The dad in me will not let this just die,” he asserts, his voice a mix of determination and despair.
The Enduring Bond of Parents in Grief
The story of Jada’s life, though brief, was filled with the love and joy of her parents.
Born to a young military couple stationed in Germany, her infectious giggle and bright eyes brought happiness to their lives.
Despite the challenges life threw at them, including their eventual divorce and separate paths, Kamaron and Fatima remain united in their love for Jada and their relentless pursuit of truth and justice for their daughter.
Their journey, marked by grief, hope, and unwavering love, continues as they seek closure and answers in this baffling and heartrending ordeal.
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
