Chicago Boy, 11, Found Dead at Home after Selflessly Trying to Save His Pregnant Mom’s Life

• An 11-year-old boy, Jayden Perkins died trying to save his mother’s life.
• His eight-month-pregnant mother suffered severe injuries and is currently in recovery.
• However, this case has confronted some of the injustices faced by victims of domestic violence.

In the early hours of a Wednesday morning in Chicago’s Edgewater neighborhood, a devastating scene unfolded that ended with the death of an 11-year-old boy, Jayden Perkins, and left his pregnant mother critically injured. Crosetti Brand, 37, has been charged with this atrocious act, facing first-degree murder and attempted murder among other charges.

The incident began when Brand, also known by the nickname “CO,” launched a violent attack on the pregnant mother. The 33-year-old woman was on a regular phone call when Brand reportedly forcefully let himself in the house.

Court records indicate that the victim’s mother heard her daughter’s screams of “No CO” through the phone, which suddenly went silent. In a brave but tragic attempt to defend his mother, young Jayden intervened and was fatally stabbed by Brand.

Amidst this chaos, the youngest child, a 6-year-old boy, was found unharmed on the couch, but silently witnessed the horrific incident. Neighbors were alerted to the violence by the screams, prompting a quick response. One neighbor’s mother, after getting no answer at the door, entered the apartment and immediately called 911 after realizing how bad the situation was.

First responders discovered Jayden’s mother at the front door, with blood all over and severely wounded, particularly with a life-threatening injury to her neck. The victims were rushed to Ascension St. Francis Hospital in Evanston, where Jayden succumbed to his injuries, and his mother was treated for critical wounds.

Jayden was a student at the Helen C. Peirce School of International Studies, remembered for his academic success and love for sports and the arts. In a tribute to their late student, the school wrote. “He was the student who stood up for everyone.”

A support fund was set up by the Peirce Elementary School Community and the Gus Giordano Dance School, raising significant financial support for the family. Over $26,000 has been collected towards a $50,000 goal to support the bereaved family.

Brand’s criminal history reveals a pattern of escalating violence and a failure of the system to protect the victims effectively. Court records document a show an episode where Brand forced entry into an ex-girlfriend’s apartment, assaulted her, and threatened her 15-year-old son.

During this terrifying encounter, Brand escalated the violence by placing a gun under the ex-girlfriend’s chin, pushing her against a wall, and beginning to choke her. This incident led to Brand being sentenced to 16 years in prison for...