Episode 190: Raylee Browning, Retold (Part 3)

Summary

Suffer the Little Children – Episode 190: Raylee Browning, Retold (Part 3)

Date: January 30, 2025
Host: Laine
Theme: The heartbreaking abuse, neglect, and death of 8-year-old Raylee Jolynn Browning, and the fight to get justice for her, with testimony and outcome from the trial of her father, stepmother, and step-aunt, as well as tributes to who Raylee was in life.

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Episode Overview

In the third and final retelling of Raylee Browning's tragic story, host Laine covers the criminal trial of Raylee’s abusers—including her father, Marty Browning Jr., his then-girlfriend Julie Titchenell, and Julie’s sister, Cherie Titchenell. The episode dives into the complex medical testimony, emotional eyewitness accounts, the verdict and sentencing, and finally, it offers a loving memorial to Raylee through memories from her mother and family.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Background and Lead-up to Trial

• Recaps prior episodes: Raylee’s years of severe abuse, culminating in her death, and evidence such as autopsy findings and legislative efforts inspired by her case.
• The trial was repeatedly delayed, finally beginning in June 2022, over three years after Raylee’s death. Judge Paul Blake presided.
• Defense hired Dr. Cyril Wecht, a renowned forensic pathologist, arguing Raylee died of natural causes—but his connection to the case was questioned by the prosecution (01:30–03:10).

Medical Testimony & Emergency Response

• EMT on Scene: Angela Coleman described Cherie as “emotionless and casual” when handing over Raylee’s cyanotic, limp body. (04:00)

• Emergency Room Staff: Dr. Dilip Gattasara and nurses Tamara McGinnis & Virginia Kessler recalled Raylee's body was ice-cold, covered in splotches and bruises, and that efforts to resuscitate her failed. Julie appeared “abnormal,” showing little emotion (05:07, 06:02).

  “She felt like she was in the presence of evil.” – ER Nurse on Julie’s demeanor (05:59)

• Pediatrician & Psychiatrist Testimony: Dr. Michelle Staton highlighted Raylee's significant weight loss and referrals to various specialists (07:19). Psychiatrist Dr. Brandon Workman, relying mainly on information from Julie, listed multiple psychiatric diagnoses and a heavy medication regimen (07:55).

Medical Forensics: Malnutrition, Sepsis, and Munchausen

• Medical Examiners (Dr. Mock, Dr. Sevoshman, Dr. Moffatt): Detailed autopsy findings attributed cause of death to severe, untreated pneumonia and sepsis (09:59–11:14). Raylee was severely malnourished—below the 5th percentile for weight for her age—making her more vulnerable to fatal infection.

  “Any lay person would have recognized that the child was very ill.” – Dr. Mock (11:54)

• Child Abuse Specialist: Dr. Joan Phillips deemed it a case of medical child abuse (Munchausen syndrome by proxy). Caregivers had manipulated doctors with false information, withheld real symptoms, and pushed for excessive psychiatric medications (12:25–16:30).

Raylee's Mother's Testimony and Child Witness

• Janice Wriston (Raylee’s mother): Tearfully described Raylee’s birth and the pain of losing her visitation rights for over a year (17:08).

• S.C. (Julie’s biological child): Presented harrowing firsthand accounts of Raylee’s daily abuse—being locked in her room, denied food and water, forced to walk hallways, and even once drinking from the toilet. S.C. described Cherie as the most aggressive adult, often the instigator of physical abuse (17:22–19:47).

  “It seemed as if Rayleigh was always being punished, even if she hadn’t done anything to deserve so.” – S.C. (18:08)

  “She was fighting for her air, like she was snoring.” – S.C., on Raylee’s final days (19:38)

Teacher and CPS Involvement

• Carrie Celebre (Teacher): Testified Raylee was normal, intelligent, and emotionally needy at school, showing no signs of behavioral disorders claimed by her caregivers (22:26–24:33). Celebre detailed multiple referrals to CPS after seeing injuries on Raylee, but officials dismissed the concerns, calling Raylee instead a "targeted" (not abused) child (26:08).

• Teachers fed Raylee at school despite orders from Cherie not to, observing she was perpetually hungry (27:18, 27:59).

  “If we had something like mashed potatoes and gravy, she would lick her tray, eat every bite.” – Ms. Celebre (28:04) “I told the board superintendent that if Rayleigh was allowed to be withdrawn and homeschooled that she would die.” – Ms. Celebre (28:49)

Defense Witnesses and Contradictions

• Several family friends and relatives attempted to downplay or deny abuse, following pressure to lie about Raylee's condition. Sister Angela Young revealed attempts to coerce her testimony. Multiple witnesses’ claims were inconsistent or contradicted by clear physical evidence and expert testimony (29:25–30:46).

  “There have been several incidents where I have had people telling me to say I was with them in the house on Christmas Day or say that I at least Facetimed the kids on Christmas day? ... I can’t testify to that because I did not see her.” – Angela Young (29:25)

• Dr. Wecht offered testimony backing up the cause of death but framed it as a “natural” death due to pneumonia (31:00).

Closing Arguments and Verdict

• Prosecutor Brian Parsons: Argued Raylee’s caregivers knew how to manipulate the system, used fabricated psychiatric histories, and ultimately denied her lifesaving medical care for fear of discovery (36:00–37:01).

  “Rayleigh’s last words on the record ... were, 'I want to go to the hospital.' She was desperate to save her life. I implore you, don’t let Rayleigh down.” – Brian Parsons (36:51)

  “I hope that ... there continues to be concerns raised and importance placed on taking care of children who are in homeschooling and aren’t in the public school system because they're really an at-risk population.” – Brian Parsons (37:05)

• Defense Arguments: Centered on technicalities (jurisdiction disputes), downplayed the abuse, and suggested behaviors were self-inflicted or that witnesses were unreliable (35:00–36:30).

Jury Deliberations:
After just 3.5 hours, all three defendants were found guilty of child neglect resulting in death (lesser charge), but not guilty of the more severe charge of death of a child by parent/guardian by abuse—largely due to technical definitions of direct causality and jurisdiction (37:33).

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Sentencing and Aftermath

• Judge Blake’s Sentencing (August 2022):
  Each defendant received 3–15 years in prison, chastised for their inhumanity:

  “Any decent father would have scooped her up and took her to get help. Where’s your decency? You stood by and watched this child die on Christmas night.” – Judge Blake, to Marty (40:55) “You went to sleep that night while your child was dying and you didn’t care enough to do anything.” – Judge Blake (41:07) “I wish I would have seen more signs and symptoms,” pleaded Cherie during sentencing, to which Judge Blake replied, “I don’t think you cared what happened to her.” (41:24)

• Janice (Raylee’s Mom):
  Permitted to address Marty directly:

  “You failed her horribly. You had to notice her losing weight. You can’t pretend that our daughter isn’t gone, and I blame you.” – Janice Wriston (41:50)

• Prosecutor:
  Emphasized the shocking simplicity that could have saved Raylee:

  “A 15 minute trip to Med Express would have saved in all likelihood this child’s life. This is what justice looks like ... it doesn’t feel that way because it’s hard to imagine the loss of an eight year old child.” – Parsons (42:03)

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Remembering Raylee: Who She Was

• Birthday Vigil:
  Following sentencing, the Browning family held a vigil for what would have been Raylee’s 12th birthday, sharing memories, singing, and decorating a Rapunzel-themed cake (39:03–39:36).

  “Rayleigh took very good care of me. And she loved me a lot.” – Jaelyn, Raylee's little sister (39:17) “Rayleigh loved to be there whenever I decorated cakes. She took so much part in it that it broke my heart to make them without her.” – Janice (39:36)

• Janice’s Remembrance:
  A heartfelt portrait: Raylee was a bright, empathetic, loving girl who adored her family, school, Disney movies, dolls, and sunrise snuggles. She dreamed of going to college and becoming a teacher or a loving mother. She was her mom’s “sunshine.” (43:42–47:41)

  “She was an amazing, empathetic, beautiful, loving, loved-be-loved, hugged child, loved sunrises, loved horses, loved school, loved. ... She loved her school teachers ... she wanted to be a mommy one day like me and love her kids like I loved her with all my heart.” – Janice (40:02, 46:02)

• Listener Message:
  Janice and her husband Jeremy thanked Laine:

“You are the voice for Rayleigh Jolynn, we are very pleased with your podcast and urge you to keep talking about Rayleigh. She was a beautiful little girl with a heart so full of love.” (47:51)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:58] – Episode theme intro (trial overview)
• [04:00] – EMT Angela Coleman testimony
• [06:02] – ER nurses describe Raylee’s condition
• [07:19] – Dr. Staton, Raylee’s pediatrician, testifies about weight loss
• [09:59] – Medical examiners and cause of death
• [12:25] – Dr. Phillips testifies on medical child abuse (Munchausen)
• [17:08] – Janice Wriston (mom) testimony
• [17:22] – S.C. (Julie’s daughter) gives eyewitness account
• [22:26] – Teacher Ms. Celebre’s testimony about Raylee at school
• [28:49] – Teacher’s warning about homeschooling
• [29:25] – Angela Young reveals attempts to coerce false testimony
• [36:51] – Prosecutor Parsons’ closing statement; Raylee’s plea for hospital
• [37:33] – Verdict: defendants found guilty of child neglect resulting in death
• [40:55] – Judge Blake sentences and rebukes the defendants
• [41:50] – Janice’s victim impact statement
• [43:42] – Audio from Raylee’s 4th birthday, tributes and loving memories

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Notable Quotes

• “She felt like she was in the presence of evil.” – ER Nurse on Julie (05:59)
• “Any lay person would have recognized that the child was very ill.” – Dr. Mock (11:54)
• “Rayleigh was always being punished, even if she hadn’t done anything.” – S.C. (18:08)
• “If we had something like mashed potatoes and gravy, she would lick her tray, eat every bite.” – Ms. Celebre (28:04)
• “I told the board superintendent that if Rayleigh was allowed to be withdrawn and homeschooled that she would die.” – Ms. Celebre (28:49)
• “Rayleigh’s last words on the record ... were, 'I want to go to the hospital.' She was desperate to save her life. I implore you, don’t let Rayleigh down.” – Prosecutor Parsons (36:51)
• “Any decent father would have scooped her up and took her to get help. Where’s your decency?” – Judge Blake to Marty (40:55)
• “She was my heart and now and forever it will always be broken.” – Janice about Raylee (47:51)

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Closing Notes

• All three defendants are incarcerated and scheduled for parole hearings in June 2025 (43:00).
• Janice, Raylee’s mom, pledges to attend every future parole hearing to continue telling her daughter’s story (43:00).
• The next episode will feature an interview with Janice Wriston, giving her the space to speak in depth about her daughter and their family’s journey for justice.

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The episode is a powerful reminder: Children hidden from view—especially those withdrawn from schools—are at special risk. Remembering Raylee for her light, not only her suffering, is the final message Laine conveys so movingly.

Transcript

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[Laine (Podcast Host)]

Contiguous us Only this podcast contains descriptions of violence against children in adult language and is not suitable for all audiences. Listener discretion is advised. Hi everyone and welcome to Suffer the Little Children, the podcast giving voices back to the victims of child abuse, murder and their families. I'm your host Laine and this is episode 190. Rayleigh Browning retold part three in parts one and two I told you about Rayleigh Browning, a sweet, gentle, loving eight year old girl whose father, his girlfriend and the girlfriend's sister made Rayleigh their scapegoat for years, putting her through horrific abuse and neglected, all because she had a different mommy than the other three kids in the home. In this episode, I'll finish telling you Raley's story, going into detail about the testimony given during the criminal trial of Rayleigh's father, Marty Browning Jr. His then girlfriend Julie Titchenel, and Julie's sister Cherie Titchenell. I'll tell you about the outcome of that trial. I'll also share with you a little bit about who Rayleigh Jolynn Browning was, mainly through her loving mommy's recollections of her. This is part three of the harrowing story of Rayleigh Browning. In the last episode, we talked about a lot of things, including Rayleigh's autopsy report, the horrific reports her step sibling made to a counselor, proposed legislation inspired by Rayleigh's story and ending with the lead up to the trial. That's where I'll pick up now. Before the trial, the defense team paid Dr. Cyril Wecht a celebrity forensic pathologist, to review Raley's autopsy. Dr. Wecht, a paid defense expert, determined in his professional opinion that Rayleigh had died of natural causes due to complications of pneumonia. In my opinion, there's no way on Earth Dr. Wecht was given all of this case's background information before making his determination. Also, prosecutor Brian Parsons pointed out in court that Dr. Wecht was not qualified to answer questions related to pediatric care or CPS investigations. The trial was delayed several times. Finally, the joint trial of Marty Browning Jr. Julie Titchenell Browning and Cherie Titchenell began with jury selection on Monday, June 6, 2022, three and a half years after Raelee's death. Judge Paul Blake presided over the trial in Fayette County Circuit Court. The prosecution had previously offered plea deals to both Marty and Julie, but neither accepted. Cherie got no such offer, likely because all signs pointed to her being the main abuser. On the first day of testimony, jurors heard from several medical professionals. EMT Angela Coleman was on the scene on December 26, 2018 as Cherie carried Rayleigh's limp body out of the house. 20 Telling the paramedics that Raeley fell while getting out of the shower, Ms. Coleman described Cherie as emotionless and casual as she handed Raleigh's lifeless cyanotic body to Ms. Coleman's partner. Ms. Coleman testified that it didn't appear Railey was breathing and when her partner lifted Raeley's shirt to attempt to resuscitate her, Ms. Coleman saw splotches or bruises all over Raley's body. Emergency room physician Dr. Dilip Gautosara doctor testified that Rayleigh arrived at Plateau Medical center at 11:55am on the day of her death. She was pronounced dead 32 minutes later at 12:27pm during those 32 minutes, he testified, a team of five to six nurses tried to resuscitate Rayleigh, gave her IV fluids and medicine, performed CPR and other life saving measures and checked her heart rhythm.

[Various Witnesses and Court Participants]

This, he said was done based on protocol.

[Laine (Podcast Host)]

Even though when Rayleigh arrived in the ER she showed no signs of life. Her heart was not beating and her body was so cold that hospital equipment couldn't register her temperature. When asked which family members he spoke to, the doctor said he talked to Julie twice but never Janice.

[Various Witnesses and Court Participants]

There were two times. The first time was when they came into the er. There was that same person that I believe I am talking to the child's mother. It turns out to be the child's stepmother and I believe I talked to them twice.

[Laine (Podcast Host)]

When he informed Marty and Julie that Rayleigh had died, the doctor said Julie stayed calm and seated. Marty began crying and pacing. Dr. Gattasara adamantly testified that he believed Rayleigh was the victim of abuse. Two of the ER nurses also testified, saying Julie's demeanor was abnormal in those circumstances. One of them testified that around Julie.

[Various Witnesses and Court Participants]

She felt like she was in the presence of evil.

[Laine (Podcast Host)]

Nurses Tamara McGinnis and Virginia Kessler testified about the injuries they saw covering Raleigh's body, saying the markings indicated to them that Raeley was abused, which was why they didn't allow Marty to see Raeley's body. After her death was pronounced. Ms. McGinnis told the court she felt.

[Various Witnesses and Court Participants]

The need to protect Raeley's body.

[Laine (Podcast Host)]

In her 18 years of nursing, she said she never saw a child's body look like Raeley's did. The jury was shown 10 photos taken of the injuries while Raelee was in the ER including close ups of her abdomen, forehead, neck, legs and back. One photo depicted the second degree burn mark on Rayleigh's right leg, which the ER doctor testified could have been caused by a cigarette. Ms. Kessler testified that Julie arrived at the hospital before Marty did, describing Marty as rattled and upset. Julie, she said, did not appear upset and after she learned that Raelee was dead. Asked how long the procedures usually take got somewhere more pressing to be Raeley's pediatrician since 2014, Dr. Michelle Staton also took the stand, testifying that Julie did most of the talking during Rayleigh's many appointments. During her last few visits, she said she noticed that Rayleigh had lost a.

[Various Witnesses and Court Participants]

Significant amount of weight.

[Laine (Podcast Host)]

Some of the concerns Marty and Julie brought up over the years, she said, were low blood sugar, skin picking and behavioral issues. Dr. Staton gave them referrals for Raeley to see a counselor, a psychiatrist and a dermatologist. Rayleigh's psychiatrist, Dr. Brandon Workman, testified that he had seen Raley from September 2016 to November 2018. Most of the diagnoses he made over that two year period were based on what Julie said during Raley's appointments and what he observed, saying Raley rarely spoke.

[Various Witnesses and Court Participants]

Testifying that there was a lot going on.

[Laine (Podcast Host)]

Dr. Workman described the symptoms for which he treated Rayleigh, which included anxiety, depression, self harm, skin picking, behavioral issues and overeating. By Rayleigh's last appointment, he said Rayleigh was on about six medications to treat all of her symptoms. I'll take a quick break for a word from my sponsors.

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I've got Dan Morgan here on the pod. Say hi Dan.

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Hey, how's it going today?

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[Laine (Podcast Host)]

At Marty, Julie and Cherie's joint trial, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Alan Mock, Deputy Chief Medical examiner Dr. C. Metin Sevoshman, and West Virginia University School of Medicine professor of Pediatrics Dr. Katherine Moffatt all testified to Rayleigh's cause of death, saying what appeared to doctors and nurses to be bruises could actually be a symptom of the pneumonia she had. All three testified that by the time she died, Rayleigh's symptoms of pneumonia would have been obvious. Dr. Mock, who didn't conduct Rayleigh's autopsy himself but reviewed and remarked on the report afterward, testified that the number of medications Raley was on was alarming.

[Various Witnesses and Court Participants]

For an eight year old, these medications would not have masked any symptoms from the pneumonia.

[Laine (Podcast Host)]

The psychiatrist prescribing these medications, he opined, likely did so based on information provided from Raley's caregivers, which contradicted her teacher's reports that she had no behavioral issues.

[Various Witnesses and Court Participants]

Most telling to me are reports from the schools because the schools are independent and they can make observations. When the school denies any disruptive behavior, it makes me question that diagnosis and the veracity of the parents accounts.

[Laine (Podcast Host)]

Rayleigh, Dr. Mok said, would have been.

[Various Witnesses and Court Participants]

Ill, just very ill, including a high.

[Laine (Podcast Host)]

Fever for several days.

[Various Witnesses and Court Participants]

She had a very severe necrotizing bronchial pneumonia, an infection to the lung to the point that tissue is actually dying. I found that to be the cause of death, likely a period of sepsis before death where the lung infection spread into the blood.

[Laine (Podcast Host)]

In Rayleigh's lung tissue, Dr. Sivachman found the beginnings of scar tissue, Dr. Mock.

[Various Witnesses and Court Participants]

Said, the tissue destruction I described that also takes a period of days. This particular pneumonia developed over a period of days. You would see shortness of breath, maybe even to the point of gasping.

[Laine (Podcast Host)]

She would have appeared ashen. Dr. Mock referenced what he said in the autopsy report.

[Various Witnesses and Court Participants]

Any lay person would have recognized that the child was very ill.

[Laine (Podcast Host)]

Treatment with antibiotics and other medical interventions could have saved Rayleigh's life, he said, if her caregivers had bothered to get her help, even a walk in clinic or doctor could have treated her. Dr. Mok also testified that Raelee's malnutrition and dehydration made her more susceptible to sepsis.

[Various Witnesses and Court Participants]

This child was below the fifth percentile for weight. So this is a very small, vulnerable sick child.

[Laine (Podcast Host)]

Dr. Moffatt testified that Cherie's story about Raelee falling in the shower on December 26 was was unlikely because of the severity of Raelee's symptoms. Dr. Moffatt didn't believe she would have been able to sit up or stand on her own by that time. Charleston Area Medical center child abuse expert Dr. Joan Phillips, who Detective James Pack mentioned speaking to in his affidavit, testified that Rayleigh was a victim of medical child abuse, which I've talked about at length on this podcast in the past. Medical child abuse is also referred to as Munchausen syndrome by proxy. Dr. Phillips said she came to this conclusion after reviewing medical reports from several doctors who treated Rayleigh over the years. She called the reports conflicting and said the doctors who wrote them depended on what they had heard from Marty and Julie regarding Rayleigh's symptoms. It appeared the doctor said, that Raley's caregivers had given false information to some medical providers and withheld information from others. Factors that played into Dr. Phillips determination included the massive number of psychiatric drugs Raeley was on and Railey's drastic weight loss between age 6 when she was in the 59th percentile of weight for her age and age 8, by which time she had fallen to the second percentile. The majority of this weight drop, Dr. Phillips said, occurred after Raeley was pulled out of public school to be homeschooled. The doctor also noted several discrepancies in the reports, including different and sometimes contradictory symptoms reported to different doctors and timeline issues. In her 22 years as a pediatrician, Dr. Phillips said she had never seen a child Rayleigh's age on as many psychiatric medications as Rayleigh was. Honestly, neither have I. Even though I've got tons of experience with various psychiatric drugs. One of my kids has tried a large number of them, although never that many at one time, and I've mentioned before that I struggle with depression and anxiety, and the meds I take definitely help. I couldn't function without them. Even so, I do experience breakthrough symptoms sometimes. That's not really a surprise considering I live and breathe this dark, depressing, infuriating subject matter seven days a week. There have been plenty of times when my meds were working just fine, but I still found myself having trouble focusing, motivating myself and staying on track. That's why this year I'm working on investing in my mental wealth, which means I'm forming habits that build my resilience for those symptom breakthroughs and down days. Mental wealth basically comes down to five diet, exercise, stress management, sleep and exogenous compounds like the meds I take, as well as the two essential components of my morning routine, my massive mug of coffee and my little green Magic Mind mental performance shot. I really feel the difference on the days when I forget to throw back that little shot, so I try to do it every day. Taking it multiple days in a row means the benefits add up. I really love that with Magic Mind. I don't get that mid afternoon caffeine crash either because of their formula's time released caffeine and other ingredients which give me more consistent energy throughout the day on top of improving my clarity and focus and lowering my stress levels so every little setback doesn't send me spiraling. That takes care of two of the pillars of mental stress management and exogenous compounds. I'm working on diet and exercise too, but the one pillar I've always had trouble with is sleep. I never seem to get enough of it, whether I can't get to sleep in the first place or I can't stay asleep once I get there. I've recently started using Magic Mind's sleep formula too, and it's helped me wind down and stay down. So I take a green shot in the morning and a pretty little purple shot before bed and I'm good to go investing in my mental wealth 24 hours a day. Now you can join the January Mental Wealth Challenge too, because for the first time, Magic Mind is offering a 24 hour pack with both shots, focus and sleep bundled together. The best part is with my link you can get it for 45% off. Just visit my link magicmind.com L A I N E J A N for 45% off the 24 hour pack and you'll be working on your mental wealth around the clock too. There's no better time than now. Okay, back to Raelee's story. Raelee's mom, Janice Wriston, also took the stand during the trial, talking about last seeing Rayleigh alive in June 2017, after which her visitations were taken away until July 2018. She described the day Raeley was born.

[Various Witnesses and Court Participants]

The first time I held her in my arms. Her hair flamed in the sunlight. Her first time opening her eyes. I got to be the first person that she seen. It was the day I named her my sunshine. She was the brightest thing in this world.

[Laine (Podcast Host)]

Another prosecution witness was Julie's child, who I called S.C. in the last episode, S.C. bravely testified about Rayleigh's abuse and punishment, including being denied food and water, walking the hallway from the time she got up until bedtime, and being locked in her room at night so she couldn't steal food. Once, she said, she found Rayleigh drinking from the toilet.

[Various Witnesses and Court Participants]

At some point, Rayleigh had learned she could leave her room at night when Cherie was sleeping and go to the kitchen to eat.

[Laine (Podcast Host)]

After that, she said, the adults put an alarm and a lock on the bedroom door so Rayleigh couldn't get out and eat. They also told her teachers not to feed her at school. The home, SC said, was full of tension she attributed mostly to her aunt Cherie.

[Various Witnesses and Court Participants]

It seemed as if Rayleigh was always being punished, even if she hadn't done anything to deserve so once, when Rayleigh was walking the hallway, Cherie shoved her into the wall, causing her to fall into the cat's litter box.

[Laine (Podcast Host)]

SC was asked about the incident in September 2015 when Rayleigh broke her femur. Rayleigh was upset, SC said, so Cherie took her into Cherie's bedroom. Rayleigh continued crying and then SC Heard.

[Various Witnesses and Court Participants]

A loud bang, adding, and then Cherie came out and Rayleigh did not.

[Laine (Podcast Host)]

SC didn't see Rayleigh until the following afternoon at which time she refused to.

[Various Witnesses and Court Participants]

Stand or walk on her own. And she looked, I would say, more upset than usual. Cherie told Rayleigh, suck it up, buttercup.

[Laine (Podcast Host)]

The adults accused her of faking her injury, but of course, when they finally relented and took Raeley to the hospital, they were told she had a broken femur. When prosecutor Parsons asked what she was told happened, SC said, I was told.

[Various Witnesses and Court Participants]

She kicked a wall by Cherie. The prosecutor asked, is that what happened?

[Laine (Podcast Host)]

SC Replied, no. In the three or four days before Rayleigh's death, SC Testified, Rayleigh became very sick. She couldn't get out of bed and SC did not see anyone take Rayleigh food, water or medicine during that time. Cherie accused Rayleigh of faking being sick for attention. Around Christmas Eve, SC Testified, Rayleigh's condition grew worse.

[Various Witnesses and Court Participants]

When she breathed, it sounded like she was snoring. You know, like when a pug breathes. She was fighting for her air, like she was snoring.

[Laine (Podcast Host)]

When the idea of going to the hospital came up, SC said, I remember.

[Various Witnesses and Court Participants]

Julie asking who was going to take her and in what vehicle, but I don't remember anything else.

[Laine (Podcast Host)]

The fact that SC Called her biological mother Julie during her testimony is pretty telling. Julie asked Rayleigh if she was okay with spending Christmas in the hospital. SC Said, and Raelee said that she was and that she wanted to go to the hospital, but they still didn't take her. The last time she saw Raelee, SC said, was when she was being carried to the ambulance. She and her siblings only found out about Rayleigh's death days later from a foster care intake worker. Before I tell you about some of the most important and compelling testimony in the whole trial, I'll take another brief sponsor break.

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[Podcast Host Interviewing Dan Morgan]

I've got Dan Morgan here on the pod. Say hi Dan.

[Dan Morgan]

Hey, how's it going today?

[Podcast Host Interviewing Dan Morgan]

It's going good, man. Tell us who you are and what you do.

[Dan Morgan]

I'm Dan Morgan. I'm an attorney and a managing partner at Morgan and Morgan, which is America's largest injury law firm.

[Podcast Host Interviewing Dan Morgan]

That's pretty awesome. I think I saw a billboard of yours recently that said 20 billion one 20 billion is an insane number.

[Dan Morgan]

Yeah, 20 billion recovered. It's actually I think somewhere north, probably closer to 22, 23 after this year. And each year we get bigger and badder and our army grows. So the number will hopefully keep getting bigger and bigger as time goes on.

[Podcast Host Interviewing Dan Morgan]

Awesome. So how does someone get in contact with Morgan and Morgan? What would I do if I got into an accident?

[Dan Morgan]

Probably the easiest way is dialing pound law. That's £529 from your cell phone. We are always open. Our call center is always waiting to take take your call. 247365.

[Laine (Podcast Host)]

Wow.

[Podcast Host Interviewing Dan Morgan]

Dan Morgan from Morgan & Morgan, America's large injury law firm. Thanks for coming by the show.

[Dan Morgan]

Thanks for having me. Visit forthepeople.com for an office near you.

[Laine (Podcast Host)]

A star witness for the prosecution was Rayleigh's teacher, Carrie Celebrity, who at the time had been a teacher for 36 years. About Rayleigh, Ms. Celebre said, I met.

[Various Witnesses and Court Participants]

Rayleigh when she was in kindergarten. She was very lively, outgoing, smart.

[Laine (Podcast Host)]

She described Rayleigh as intelligent and an average kindergarten student whose emotional maturity level was very normal.

[Various Witnesses and Court Participants]

Shortly after kindergarten started, I noticed she wanted a lot of attention. She wanted to hold my hand when we would walk laps. If they had free time. She would choose to stand with me, talk with me. It appeared as if she wanted adult attention. She would tell me things. I understood that she lived with her father and his girlfriend and her sister and she would visit her mother on certain weekends. She was always very happy to go visit with her mother. She would tell me, on Fridays I get to go see my mother on Mondays. She would say, oh, we decorated a cake. We made cookies. She also told me at one point, I'm not allowed to see my mommy anymore. My mommy doesn't love me. My mommy's having a new baby to replace me.

[Laine (Podcast Host)]

She didn't ask what Rayleigh meant, adding.

[Various Witnesses and Court Participants]

She was already upset enough. I asked who told her.

[Laine (Podcast Host)]

Julie's attorney, Mark Plantz, objected.

[Various Witnesses and Court Participants]

This is all hearsay. She is repeating what Rayleigh told her.

[Laine (Podcast Host)]

Cherie's attorney, Evan Dove, also objected that Ms. Siliburdi was using the words Rayleigh's mommy. Judge Blake overruled both, saying, you're going.

[Various Witnesses and Court Participants]

To get a cross examination. You'll get a chance to ask her.

[Laine (Podcast Host)]

In first grade, Ms. Syllabirdi testified Rayleigh.

[Various Witnesses and Court Participants]

Was a very normal, happy, happy, go lucky, fun loving child. I saw Rayleigh every day I had breakfast duty, so the days that I saw her at breakfast that was 10 minutes. I had her in either gym, health or art class for 40 minutes and I had lunch duty with Rayleigh's class, so that was another 30 minutes.

[Laine (Podcast Host)]

She never saw self harm or other problem behaviors from Rayleigh, she said.

[Various Witnesses and Court Participants]

When she was with me in my class, if we were in a classroom setting, she was a normal everyday student, sat there like everyone else. If we were outside or in the gym, she liked to be close to me. She was clingy. She wanted adult attention. Typically, she refrained from playing with her peers a lot. She wanted to be with an adult a lot. That is not typical.

[Laine (Podcast Host)]

Rayleigh's clinginess, she said, was far beyond.

[Various Witnesses and Court Participants]

That of a normal child.

[Laine (Podcast Host)]

The teacher testified about two of the referrals she made to CPS about Rayleigh, one about her broken femur during her kindergarten year, and one regarding an incident when Rayleigh pulled up her pants leg to show Ms. Silibri boo boos on her calves, including bruises and small round scabs.

[Various Witnesses and Court Participants]

Raeley told her, but my daddy says I'm not allowed to show you these and if you have any questions you need to call my daddy.

[Laine (Podcast Host)]

After one of the adults in the household called the school in September 2015 to report that Raeley had a temper tantrum, kicked a wall and broke femur, Ms. Celebrity contacted CPS. A broken femur is a significant injury. It's not a common injury and the explanation for the injury did not fit the injury. Nicholas county cps, she said, didn't contact her about the referral. She made another referral, she said, when a classmate of one of Julie's kids told a teacher the family kept Rayleigh locked in a laundry room. Rayleigh's first grade teacher also made a referral, Ms. Celebrity said, after she saw a handprint on Rayleigh's upper army, which the first grade teacher also saw. Ms. Siliberti said she sat in on a CPS interview with Rayleigh and SC conducted by none other than CPS supervisor Joe Sorrent, who was on the defense witness list. You might recall that he was also a defendant in Janice's since dismissed federal lawsuit against the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Services, which oversaw CPS. After the interview, Ms. Siliberti said Mr. Sorrent said to her, I don't think.

[Various Witnesses and Court Participants]

Rayleigh is being abused, but I do think she's the targeted child in the family.

[Laine (Podcast Host)]

Mr. Dove asked her to define targeted.

[Various Witnesses and Court Participants]

In my opinion, it means treated differently than the other Children punished more harshly.

[Laine (Podcast Host)]

Mr. Dove clarified.

[Various Witnesses and Court Participants]

But he did tell you he did not believe there's abuse, correct?

[Laine (Podcast Host)]

Ms. Celebrity replied, Correct. She also said that Mr. Sorrent told.

[Various Witnesses and Court Participants]

Her, I believe that the children are very well coached.

[Laine (Podcast Host)]

When it was time for parent pickup at the end of the school day, Ms. Syllabirdi tearfully said on the stand, rayleigh wanted to stay at school.

[Various Witnesses and Court Participants]

She would hang on me. She would put her arms around my waist and lock her legs around my legs. She would say, I love you. Could you be my mommy? It was obvious she wanted to stay at school.

[Laine (Podcast Host)]

Ms. Siliberti testified that Marty had given Cherie permission to pick up the kids from school.

[Various Witnesses and Court Participants]

She was the primary caregiver for the children, and Raelee's father had given her permission to deal with school things.

[Laine (Podcast Host)]

Asked about Raelee's eating habits, Ms. Sillibirdi said that Cherie had told teachers not to feed Raelee breakfast.

[Various Witnesses and Court Participants]

We were told that Raelee had an eating disorder and that she would be fed at home.

[Laine (Podcast Host)]

When Prosecutor Parsons asked what resulted from these directions from Cherie, Ms. Silibirdi said, not much.

[Various Witnesses and Court Participants]

We fed her. She was hungry. Rayleigh never came out and said, I'm hungry. She would say her belly hurt and ask to go to the restroom.

[Laine (Podcast Host)]

Marty, Julie and Cherie even supplied the school with a doctor's note saying that Rayleigh's caretakers had reported she had an eating disorder. Teachers saw that Rayleigh was hungry but afraid to ask for food, so they started feeding her during bathroom breaks. Ms. Siliberti didn't see any signs of an eating disorder and had never seen an elementary school student with an eating disorder. She never saw Rayleigh throwing up, but she was losing weight.

[Various Witnesses and Court Participants]

I saw a child who was hungry.

[Laine (Podcast Host)]

Tearfully, Ms. Syllabirti said, if we had.

[Various Witnesses and Court Participants]

Something like mashed potatoes and gravy, she would lick her tray, eat every bite.

[Laine (Podcast Host)]

In kindergarten, Rayleigh's clothes were too small and too tight as well as not seasonally appropriate.

[Various Witnesses and Court Participants]

Often she would wear in August when it's 90 degrees, long pants and long sleeves. One of the things that you look for in child abuse is inappropriate clothing to cover injuries.

[Laine (Podcast Host)]

When on one hot day, Ms. Syllabirdi gave Rayleigh a T shirt to change into instead of the pink sweatshirt she wore. She saw marks and bruises on Rayleigh's body. When Rayleigh later brought the shirt back in a Walmart bag, she told her.

[Various Witnesses and Court Participants]

Teacher, my daddy said I can't take your clothes, that you're not allowed to give me clothes.

[Laine (Podcast Host)]

At the beginning of first grade, Ms. Sillaberti said Rayleigh had lost weight.

[Various Witnesses and Court Participants]

She had black circles around her eyes. Her eyes were sunken in. Her cheekbones were sticking out. She was pale. She was not healthy looking at all, the teacher testified. I told the board superintendent that if Rayleigh was allowed to be withdrawn and homeschooled that she would die.

[Laine (Podcast Host)]

During cross examination, the defense attorneys implied that Janice or one of Julie's kids could have caused Rayleigh's various injuries. Julie and Cherie's sister, Angela Young, came from Alabama to testify, saying that Julie and others asked her to lie on the stand and not just once.

[Various Witnesses and Court Participants]

There have been several incidents where I have had people telling me to say I was with them in the house on Christmas Day or say that I at least facetimed the kids on Christmas day? The prosecutor asked, wanting you to say you saw Rayleigh fine as a fiddle on Christmas Day? Ms. Young replied, yes, sir, and I can't testify to that because I did not see her.

[Laine (Podcast Host)]

After the state rested its case, the defense moved to dismiss the charges, saying the state hadn't provided sufficient evidence. I understand it's just a formality and happens during many trials, but come on. Judge Blake denied the motions, saying the state provided enough evidence for the jury to make a decision about the defendant's guilt. Testimony by the defense witnesses was based on the news coverage, not very, let's say, robust. Julie and Cherie's adult nephew testified that he never saw Rayleigh, denied food and water or being abused. Fellow homeschool mom Linnea Castle, gave testimony along the same lines the day Rayleigh died. Linnea was the friend whose home Cherie disappeared to with the other three kids. Ms. Castle, a longtime family friend of the Titchenels, said she had once seen Rayleigh eating until she threw up and later asking for more food.

[Various Witnesses and Court Participants]

She could eat as much as I could and then turn around and say she was starving, didn't eat and needed food right now.

[Laine (Podcast Host)]

She testified that she was in the home off and on from December 23rd through 25th, 2018. At the time, she said Rayleigh had a sniffle, but she didn't think Rayleigh was sick. Another friend of Cherie's testified that at some point she saw Rayleigh hit herself, picket her skin and make herself bleed. The friend said that Cherie was calm and told Rayleigh not to pick it herself. She and another individual testified that in their belief Rayleigh was never excluded from family outings. One news outlet said that Cherie's sister in law testified this must have been either the sister of Cherie's ex husband in Florida or the wife of Cherie's brother. Although in that case I would think they would describe her as Julie and Cherie's sister in law. At any rate, the woman testified that she saw Rayleigh at a family party about three days before she died, saying Rayleigh was eating and didn't appear sick. You know, exactly like Cherie and Julie wanted their sister Angela to lie about on the stand. Julie and Cherie's other sister Donna Jaber came from Florida to testify as well, saying she FaceTimed with Rayleigh, who didn't appear sick on Christmas Day. She visited West Virginia at least twice a year, Donna said, and never saw Ray Lee, who she considered her niece being abused. What's that? Someone else telling a similar story. The Witchnell gals asked their other sister to lie about. Weird. Totally unrelated and all. But imagine lying during sworn court testimony about a little girl's death. Anyway, Dr. Cyril Wecht, the celebrity forensic pathologist I mentioned earlier, testified remotely, agreeing with the West Virginia medical examiner's assessments that Rayleigh died from sepsis due to pneumonia, but saying he believed she died from natural causes. Dr. Wecht himself died in May 2024 at the age of 93. Time for one last word from my sponsors. How to have fun anytime, anywhere. Step one, go to chumbacasino.com chumbacasino.com Got it. Step two collect your welcome Bon. Come to papa.

[Dan Morgan]

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[Laine (Podcast Host)]

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[Laine (Podcast Host)]

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[Various Witnesses and Court Participants]

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[Laine (Podcast Host)]

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[Various Witnesses and Court Participants]

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[Podcast Host Interviewing Dan Morgan]

I've got Dan Morgan here on the pod. Say hi, Dan.

[Dan Morgan]

Hey, how's it going today?

[Podcast Host Interviewing Dan Morgan]

It's going good, man. Tell us who you are and what you do.

[Dan Morgan]

I'm Dan Morgan. I'm an attorney and a managing partner at Morgan and Morgan, which is America's largest injury law firm.

[Podcast Host Interviewing Dan Morgan]

That's pretty awesome. I think I saw a billboard of yours recently that said 20 billion won. 20 billion is an insane number.

[Dan Morgan]

Yeah, 20 billion recovered. It's actually, I think somewhere north. Probably closer to 22, 23 after this year. And each year we get bigger and badder and our army grows. So the number will hopefully keep getting bigger and bigger as time goes on.

[Podcast Host Interviewing Dan Morgan]

Awesome. So how does someone get in contact with Morgan and Morgan what would I do if I got into an accident?

[Dan Morgan]

Probably the easiest way is dialing pound law. That's £529 from your cell phone. We are always open. Our call center is always waiting to take your call. 247365 wow.

[Podcast Host Interviewing Dan Morgan]

Dan Morgan from Morgan & Morgan, America's large injury law firm. Thanks for coming by the show.

[Dan Morgan]

Thanks for having me. Visit forthepeople.com for an office near you.

[Various Witnesses and Court Participants]

Foreign.

[Laine (Podcast Host)]

Testimony Both sides made their closing arguments on Monday, June 13, 2022. Prosecutor Brian Parsons told the jury the system in place to protect Rayleigh failed her because her caregivers knew how to abuse the system based on information from those caregivers. He reminded jurors Raelee had been diagnosed with autism, a binge eating disorder, self mutilation, behavior disorder, anxiety disorder, ADHD and borderline personality disorder. Let me interject here to say that BPD can be diagnosed in kids as young as 11, not 8 like Rayleigh was, but it's rare that a child under 13 would receive that diagnosis. In my experience, most mental health professionals are very hesitant to assign the BPD diagnosis to kids under 18. Mr. Parsons showed jurors Rayleigh's many prescription bottles, which were nearly full, meaning the adults hadn't even been giving them to Rayleigh as prescribed. He wondered aloud if it was more disturbing that she was prescribed all of these meds or if her caregivers weren't giving them to her. Refusing to call Marty a parent, Mr. Parsons mentioned that Julie told Marty on December 20 that Rayleigh needed to go to the hospital, but none of them took her, likely because they were afraid her body showed signs of abuse. He argued that based on her body temperature being below 84 degrees Fahrenheit or 29 degrees Celsius when she arrived at the hospital. Rayleigh was likely dead for some time before Cherie's 911 call at 11:42am Julie's attorney, Mr. Plantz, said in his closing argument that Julie saw Rayleigh eat on Christmas Day so she didn't think Rayleigh needed to go to the hospital. Also, he said the medical experts agreed Rayleigh died from pneumonia and all of Rayleigh's injuries were in places she could reach so they could be self inflicted. Mr. Dove argued in his closing argument on Cherie's behalf that the case was about constitutional rights. Should parents who make a mistake in judgment go to prison? The only compelling state's witness, he said, was Julie's child, who was clever enough four years ago to trick Nicholas County CPS workers. Marty's attorney, Steve Mancini, argued that the defendants couldn't be convicted under the Fayette Circuit Court jurisdiction because most of their abuse allegations took place in Nicholas County. Mr. Parsons responded by saying Rayleigh's last.

[Various Witnesses and Court Participants]

Words on the record at least, were, I want to go to the hospital. She was desperate to save her life. I implore you, don't let Rayleigh down.

[Laine (Podcast Host)]

The system had let Raley down. He reminded the court, I hope that.

[Various Witnesses and Court Participants]

Out of this that there continues to be concerns raised and importance placed on taking care of children who are in homeschooling and aren't in the public school system because they're really an at risk population. We need to have a mechanism to make sure that our kids are being appropriately educated and appropriately protected in or out of the public school system.

[Laine (Podcast Host)]

Amen. The jury deliberated for only three and a half hours before returning with verdicts on both counts.

[Various Witnesses and Court Participants]

For.

[Laine (Podcast Host)]

For all three defendants on their lesser charge of child neglect resulting in Death, Marty Browning Jr. Cherie Titchenell and Julie Titchenell Browning were found guilty. On the more serious charge of death of a child by a parent, guardian or custodian by child abuse, which could have landed them in prison for life, they were found not guilty. Why? Largely because, number one, their continued abuse of Rayleigh did not directly cause her death, but rather the medical neglect did. And number two, as Mr. Mancini argued, most of the alleged abuse occurred in Nicholas county, not in Fayette county where the charges were brought. Talk about a technicality. Yet another system failed. Raley, I don't have the words to describe how unfair this is. After the verdict, Judge Blake revoked the defendant's cash bond, ordering the three convicted felons into custody. They would await sentencing in the Southern Regional Jail. Janice told the Register Herald after the verdict that she was relieved the trial was over, adding, this will help me.

[Various Witnesses and Court Participants]

Feel some peace a little bit, at least for her and our whole family. It's been hard, very hard.

[Laine (Podcast Host)]

Monday, July 11, 2022 should have been Raelee's 12th birthday. Now that the trial was over, Janice felt she was able to celebrate Rayleigh's birthday for the first time since her death. The family gathered for a candlelight vigil in Raelee's honor.

[Various Witnesses and Court Participants]

Happy birthday, dear Rayleigh.

[Laine (Podcast Host)]

The family shared memories of Raelee at the vigil. Her sister Jaelyn, six at the time of the vigil, said that Rayleigh loved to hold and feed her.

[Various Witnesses and Court Participants]

Rayleigh took very good care of me.

[Laine (Podcast Host)]

And she Loved me a lot. Janice decorated a cake for the vigil, her first time doing so since 2018. It featured a pink and purple silhouette of Rayleigh's favorite princess, Rapunzel, as well as a bright yellow sun.

[Various Witnesses and Court Participants]

Rayleigh loved to be there whenever I decorated cakes. She took so much part in it that it broke my heart to make them without her.

[Laine (Podcast Host)]

In the Disney movie Tangled, Rapunzel is trapped in a tower by a caregiver who kept her away from her family. Janice told reporter Jessica Farish she believed Rayleigh might have identified with Rapunzel, who ultimately escaped. Janice also said she thought about her daughter every day.

[Various Witnesses and Court Participants]

She was an amazing, empathetic, beautiful, loving, loved be loved, hugged child, loved sunrises, loved horses, loved school, loved. She had so much love for so many different things. She loved to talk about Jesus, anything to do with Jesus and the heavens and how God made the Rayleigh had mentioned that she forgave her other household for hurting her.

[Laine (Podcast Host)]

During the vigil, attendees lit candles while listening to a very special song that Janice used to sing to her. Baby, you are my sunshine. In August 2022, Fayette County Circuit Judge Paul Blake sentenced each defendant separately to spend three to 15 years in prison. He chastised each of them about their lack of caring and decency, and he.

[Various Witnesses and Court Participants]

Told Marty, any decent father would have scooped her up and took her to get help. Where's your decency? You stood by and watched this child.

[Laine (Podcast Host)]

Die on Christmas night, judge Blake said.

[Various Witnesses and Court Participants]

You went to sleep that night while your child was dying and you didn't care enough to do anything.

[Laine (Podcast Host)]

Julie told the judge at her hearing that she wished she had done more to help Rayleigh. Yeah, I bet she does now. During her hearing, Cherie told the judge that she loved Rayleigh.

[Various Witnesses and Court Participants]

I wish I would have seen more signs and symptoms, the judge replied. I don't think you cared what happened to her. The person who showed the most emotion was the EMS person you handed Rayleigh's body to. If you had taken the steps of any caring, humane individual, she would be alive today.

[Laine (Podcast Host)]

Janice was permitted to speak at Marty's sentencing hearing, telling her monster of an ex that he couldn't ignore the fact that their daughter was dead.

[Various Witnesses and Court Participants]

You failed her horribly. You had to notice her losing weight. You can't pretend that our daughter isn't gone, and I blame you.

[Laine (Podcast Host)]

Prosecutor Parsons said that justice had been served, even if it didn't feel that way.

[Various Witnesses and Court Participants]

The most troubling aspect of the defendant's conduct and what warrants the term of imprisonment is that it was so simple to save this child's life. It didn't require major effort or Multiple trips to St. Jude or Duke or even to Morgantown. A 15 minute trip to Med Express would have saved in all likelihood this child's life. This is what justice looks like at the end of a case like this. It doesn't feel that way because it's hard to imagine the loss of an eight year old child. My thought is that they will serve more than three years. The parole board will look at both their conduct that led them to be in prison and their conduct while they are in prison.

[Dan Morgan]

The judge was very critical of the current public policy regarding homeschooling and how students are permissively withdrawn from the public school system for homeschooling. There's no question in this case that contributed to ultimately the child's death.

[Laine (Podcast Host)]

37 year old Marty Lee Browning Jr. Is serving his sentence in the Pruneytown Correctional center in Grafton, West Virginia. Julie Dawn Browning, now 39, and her 38 year old sister Cherie Marie Titchenel are both incarcerated in the Lakin Correctional center in West Columbia, West Virginia. All three defendants are scheduled for parole hearings in June of 2025. Janice Wriston, Raelee's mom, will be at every future parole hearing to tell Raelee's story and convince the parole board that the three people who killed her daughter need to stay behind bars.

[Various Witnesses and Court Participants]

Foreign.

[Laine (Podcast Host)]

Now let's talk about Rayleigh because it's so important to remember these kids for who they were as people, no matter how little, and not just for the awful things that happened to them.

[Various Witnesses and Court Participants]

Birthday to you. The man's Ken I get none of this. You've got one left. Blow it out. R. Yay. It's her birthday. Good job. Braylee, how old are you? Four. Four years old. Mommy love.

[Laine (Podcast Host)]

That was the sound of Rayleigh's fourth birthday party, which was a joint party for Rayleigh and her maternal aunt. Heartbreakingly, that's the only video Janice has left of her sunshine after the iPad she kept all of her videos on was stolen. Because this is Rayleigh's story, she deserves to be remembered as the sweet, bright, loving little girl she was. Rayleigh Jolynn Browning was a beautiful little girl with strawberry blonde hair, blue eyes, the cutest cheeks, and pink Cupid's bow lips that turned into the sweetest smile you might ever see. She looked just like her mama. Rayleigh loved to play with her dolls and play dress up. She and her sister Jaelyn loved playing together. Jaelyn would often sleep with a picture of Rayleigh in a princess frame. And at night before going to sleep.

[Various Witnesses and Court Participants]

She told Janice, this is Rayleigh, my sister. Mommy, I love my sister.

[Laine (Podcast Host)]

Rayleigh last saw her older brother Wyatt when she was six years old, but Janice fondly remembers that she would kiss her brother's cheek every time she hugged him. Rayleigh and her siblings loved the summertime. They played in the sandbox and threw water balloons at each other, Janice said in one of her Facebook posts.

[Various Witnesses and Court Participants]

They would play so hard. The bedtime was never really a challenge.

[Laine (Podcast Host)]

Janice, who described Raelee as my innocent.

[Various Witnesses and Court Participants]

Beautiful, smart, happy, loving daughter, my baby.

[Laine (Podcast Host)]

Girl, my sunshine, listed several things that Raelee loved to get to come live.

[Various Witnesses and Court Participants]

With us, her mommy, stepdad and all her siblings. She wanted to go to church every Sunday. She loved Sunday school. She had so much love for so many people and so many things. She loved to go swimming, loved to sleep in her footed Rapunzel PJs, loved to be loved on, loved to wake up early and watch the sunrise with me. She loved her Rapunzel doll and her Anna doll. Loved that she was a big sister. She loved when I sang you are my Sunshine to her. I can't really sing but she loved it. Loved for me to read books and tell made up stories at bedtime. Loved those sticker tattoos. Loved to go to Nina and Papa's. She also wanted to learn how to ride a horse one day and wanted to go to the beach. She loved learning games on her iPad, Loved school and all her teachers. She wanted to do good in school and graduate from college to be a schoolteacher. I say this again, Rayleigh loved her school teachers. She said she wanted to be a mommy one day like me and love her kids like I loved her with all my heart. My goodness. I loved every little ounce of her. I loved my sunshine. Loved her soft, kind, sweet, loving heart of gold. Loved her adorable giggle when she laughed. Loved her button nose. Loved to snuggle with her. Loved to wake up to her in the morning. She'd stay just so we could snuggle till the sun was up. I loved to watch the Disney movies with her. I loved to color with her. Loved the words she'd whisper when the sun came up, Mommy, the sun's awake. She had this smile and this kind of love in her heart that anyone would just smile seeing her.

[Laine (Podcast Host)]

In June 2020, after I released my initial episode about Rayleigh, both Janice and her husband Jeremy reached out to me to let me know that they enjoyed the episode.

[Various Witnesses and Court Participants]

Jeremy told me, you are the voice for Rayleigh Jolynn, we are very pleased with your podcast and urge you to keep talking about Rayleigh. She was a beautiful little girl with a heart so full of love, Janice told me. Rayleigh was my heart and now and forever it will always be broken. She was the most adorable, sweet, smart, innocent, loving, happy, healthy, snuggly baby girl with a heart full of love.

[Laine (Podcast Host)]

I can promise Janice one thing for absolute certain, I'll never stop talking about her. Sunshine My sources for this episode were the same as for parts one and two. Shout out to my newest patrons, Caitlin G from Martin, Ohio and from, I'm guessing, somewhere very heavenly. Thank you to your Majesty.

[Various Witnesses and Court Participants]

God.

[Laine (Podcast Host)]

Thanks as always to all of my patrons. And don't forget, you can also support me by supporting my sponsors. I'd love it if you join me in the January Mental Wealth Challenge. You can get 45% off Magic Mind's 24 hours pack containing the focus and sleep shots in one bundle by using my link magicmind.com L A I N E J A N In the next episode you'll hear my conversation with my dear friend Rayleigh's mom, Janice Wriston, who's finally able to talk freely about the legal case, her experiences and her sunshine. And I'm honored to give her a platform to do that. That's it for this episode. Join me next time for the conclusion of Rayleigh's story. If you like the show, please follow or subscribe to Suffer the Little Children on Apple podcasts, Google Podcasts, YouTube, Spotify, Spreaker, Pandora, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast listening app. And please leave me a five star rating and a positive review on your favorite podcast platform. Visit the website at sufferthelittlechildrenpod.com you can support the show by visiting patreon.com stlcpod where you can become a patron for rewards ranging from a shout out by name on the show to exclusive gifts. You can also support the show at ko-fi.com stlcpod Follow the podcast on Facebook and Instagram at Suffer the Little Children pod and on TikTok tlcpod. View photos Related to today's episode on Facebook. This podcast is researched, written, hosted, edited and produced by Lane Intro. Theme music is by Dream Note Music and all music for the show is licensed from audiojungle.net for more information about preventing or reporting Child Abuse, visit childhelp.org or call your area's Child abuse Hotline. And remember, if you see something, say something.

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