Published: July 02, 2008 10:01 am         

Support helps family find solace

DANVILLE — Two years after Reagan Williams’ death, her family’s grief over the loss of the 2½–year-old Tilton girl has turned into a force for good.

Reagan’s Rescue, the organization formed by her grandparents, continues its work to raise awareness of shaken baby syndrome. Reagan died from injuries consistent with shaken baby syndrome, according to Vermilion County Coroner Peggy Johnson.

Patience

Ryan Allhands, Reagan’s mother’s then-boyfriend, was arrested in the case. He remains free on bond awaiting trial.

“We’ll have a low key remembrance this year,” Greg Williams, Reagan’s paternal grandfather, said. “We thought we’d have a trial starting on July 7, so it seemed inappropriate to plan something.”

That trial recently was continued until October, with a hearing scheduled in September. This is the latest in a series of delays that have plagued the case. But Ian Williams, Reagan’s father, remains confident that the final verdict will be the right one.

“No matter how long it takes, I have faith in the justice system,” Ian said. “I’ve felt some skepticism at times, but then I realized that things were progressing.

“Whatever happens, it will eventually be over,” he said. “People talk about closure; maybe I’ve found it already.”

Ian’s father Greg also takes the long view of the two-year anniversary of his first grandchild’s death.

“It seems as if it happened so long ago,” Greg said, “more like 10 years ago than two years.

“We’ve crammed so much emotion into the last two years, focused on this so much. There hasn’t been a lot of down time.

“I visited (Reagan’s grave at) the cemetery Monday night,” he said. “I wrote in the journal I keep for her.

“I’ve learned that so much is out of our hands. We need to focus on what we can control.”

Positives

And for Greg Williams, Reagan’s Rescue is the way to do that. He has seen results from its efforts.

SBS education began in county high schools. Public service announcements and billboards helped spread the work to never shake a baby or a young child. Funds generated by sales of rubber bracelets and T-shirts make the lives of abused children brighter via a newly constructed playroom at Your Family Resource Connection.

Partner

Lincoln Park Theater Company recently has joined forces with Reagan’s Rescue to raise money for the cause. Although LPTC’s foundation is presenting free community theater, various fundraisers are held each year to cover sets, costumes, makeup and any other items that are needed but not donated.

This year, LPTC will team with Reagan’s Rescue to raise awareness of domestic violence against children, especially shaken baby syndrome. Community awareness about SBS could have saved Reagan Williams’ life.

“Ann Soderstrom (a founding member of the group) approached Ian for more information on Reagan’s Rescue,” Greg Williams remembered. “She said that since this year’s show had to do with saving a little girl, it would be a good fit.”

Players

When auditions for the show were held, Reagan’s aunt Bailey, grandfather Greg and father Ian all were cast in this summer’s production of “Annie.” Bailey is in the title role, Greg plays Daddy War-bucks and Ian’s role is as Warbuck’s butler Drake.

“It wasn’t my intention to be in the show,” Greg Williams said. “After the children were cast, there was no one to play Daddy Warbucks.

“I had some reservations — it would be the first show I did since Reagan died,” he said. “But I agreed that it was a show about saving little girls. The stars were aligned.”

This is the first show all three family members have done together.

FYI

Lincoln Park Theater Company wants to help bring awareness of shaken baby syndrome to the community. For every $25 tax-deductible donation, LPTC will give $5 to Reagan’s Rescue. During LPTC’s performances of “Annie” July 18-20, Reagan’s Rescue bracelets will be sold to benefit the fund.