Mother of Murdered Son Battles Government in Edgewater Case

A Mother’s Fight for Justice After Her Son Was Killed by a Domestic Abuser

An 11-year-old boy in Chicago was killed last year by his mother’s domestic abuser, and now the grieving mother is demanding accountability from government agencies that failed to protect her family. Laterria Smith’s son, Jayden Perkins, was murdered on March 13, 2024, when her ex-boyfriend, Crosetti Brand, arrived at her North Side apartment and attacked her, stabbing her multiple times and killing her son. Brand was later convicted of Jayden’s murder in June.

Smith has written an open letter addressing those in power in Illinois, holding them responsible for the tragic loss of her son. “I trusted the system,” she wrote. “I tried everything I could to keep my family safe, but the Chicago Police Department, the Illinois Department of Corrections, and the Illinois Prisoner Review Board all failed us.”

She has also filed a lawsuit against these agencies, seeking answers about where they went wrong. “I want them to admit where they went wrong, the mistakes that they made,” Smith said. “I felt like I did everything to protect me and my family, and it just went unheard.”

A History of Abuse and Missed Opportunities

Smith had repeatedly reached out for help before the attack. She called the police when Brand showed up at her door weeks before the fatal day, but they refused to take a report and told her to go back to court. In February 2024, she sought an order of protection against Brand, even though he had previously been sent back to prison for violating his parole in a separate domestic violence case involving another woman.

Brand was granted parole just one day before the attack, on March 12, the same day he was scheduled to appear in court for an order of protection. Despite his history of abuse, the Illinois Prisoner Review Board released him, and no electronic monitoring was put in place, according to an investigation by CBS News Chicago. Smith believes this oversight played a critical role in the tragedy.

“They should have put the electronic monitoring on him before he left the prison,” she said. Without the monitor, Brand showed up at her home after being released. He took an Uber straight from prison to her building and waited outside all night. He knew she opened the door early the next morning to take her kids to school, and that’s when he attacked.

The Lasting Impact of the Attack

Smith suffered serious injuries from the attack, and the physical scars are a daily reminder of what happened. Her other son, 5-year-old Kameron, continues to struggle after witnessing the attack. At the time of the stabbing, Smith was pregnant, and her baby girl, Jayda, born four months later, will never know the brother she was named after.

For Smith, the pain is compounded by the fact that officials like Gov. JB Pritzker and lawmakers continue to use her son’s name without taking responsibility for the failures that led to the attack. “If this tragedy was enough to change the law, why isn’t it enough for the state to take responsibility?” she wrote. “This is a call to your conscience, a call to humanity. Please don’t just use Jayden’s name. Honor it.”

Legal Proceedings and Ongoing Struggles

Crosetti Brand was convicted of Jayden’s murder and remains incarcerated as he awaits sentencing. He could face life in prison. He is due back in court on July 30 for a ruling on post-trial motions he has filed. However, the governor’s office, the Prisoner Review Board, and the Chicago Police Department have not commented on Smith’s letter or the case.

Resources for Survivors of Domestic Violence

For those experiencing domestic violence or supporting someone who is, there are resources available. The Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County provides guidance on obtaining a protection order. Other organizations offer tools and support for survivors, including information on firearm safety and legal rights.

The story of Jayden Perkins serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the need for systemic reform and greater accountability in cases involving domestic violence. As Smith continues her fight for justice, she hopes her voice will lead to meaningful change and prevent future tragedies.