Murfreesboro, TN - Jeff and Jerika Lloyd thought they were doing the right thing when they took their one-year-old daughter Janae to get her leg casted after noticing she wasn’t putting weight on it. The pediatrician had found a minor fracture and didn’t suspect abuse, but a second doctor’s concern over the lack of a clear explanation triggered a chain of events that would upend the Lloyds’ lives.

In September 2024, the Department of Children’s Services (DCS) took Janae into custody. The Murfreesboro parents insisted their daughter was simply an early walker—physically advanced for her age—and that her injury was misunderstood. A Rutherford County judge dismissed the case in January 2025, but the nightmare didn’t end there.

Three months later, DCS sent another letter stating that Jerika had been substantiated for abuse and neglect. The timing was baffling—the letter referenced a case closure from December 2024, just weeks before the judge’s dismissal. The Lloyds appealed, but heard nothing for months.

It was not until their story gained media attention that things shifted. On August 5, 2025, just a few weeks ago, Jerika received a new letter from DCS reversing the substantiation, now calling the case “unsubstantiated.” The Lloyds say the delay and lack of communication left emotional scars, especially for Janae, who is still learning to feel safe again.

Jeffrey called the ordeal “an absolute nightmare,” and lawmakers are taking notice. State Rep. Gloria Johnson (D-Knox County) is exploring legislation that would require second opinions before a child is removed from their home. Local State Rep. Charlie Baum (R-Murfreesboro), who represents the Lloyds’ district, says he’s reviewing whether policy changes are needed.

For the Lloyds, the fight isn’t just about their family anymore. They want to make sure no other parents have to endure what they did—months of uncertainty, fear, and silence from the very system that is meant to protect.