A Chester, Virginia, family is going through a very tough time. Just a few weeks ago, their 8-year-old son, Elijah, was left paralyzed from the chest down after being hit by a car in a hit-and-run crash.
Now, while still trying to care for their child and heal from this heartbreaking event, the family says they are being disturbed again—this time by anonymous packages arriving at their home.
The boy’s mother, Tierra Mathews, says these deliveries are not helpful or kind. Instead, she calls them “disrespectful.” The packages came from an unknown sender and were not requested by the family.
Some items included a child’s potty, baby bottle nipples, and latex gloves. Mathews said these deliveries made her feel like someone was mocking her family or playing a cruel joke.
The crash happened in early May on May 8th, near the intersection of Route 10 and Bermuda Orchard Lane. Elijah was walking near the road when a driver struck him and kept going without stopping to help.
The crash left him permanently paralyzed from the chest down. Since then, he has been in the hospital, and his family has been doing everything they can to stay strong and support him.
Tierra said she already feels like her family is in “a nightmare.” So, when these packages started arriving, it only made things worse. “Who would do something like this?” she asked. The timing and the strange items in the boxes made it feel like someone was trying to upset or bully them even more, she explained.
The Mathews family has reported the deliveries to Chesterfield County Police. Officers are now looking into the case to find out who sent the items and why. They’re checking with Amazon, where the packages were sent from, to get any information about who placed the orders.
Amazon told news reporters that customers can send items as gifts and hide their identity. But they are working with the police to investigate this situation. A spokesperson from Amazon said they do not support any kind of harassment and will take action if their platform is misused.
Elijah is currently recovering in a Richmond hospital. His condition is serious, and doctors say he will likely remain paralyzed for life.
His family has created a GoFundMe page to help raise money for his care and to make changes to their home, like adding wheelchair ramps and other equipment he may need when he returns.
Tierra also mentioned that her family has received a lot of support from the community—people have sent prayers, kind messages, and donations. But these strange packages have left her feeling unsafe and confused.
“I shouldn’t have to worry about someone sending my family things that are hurtful while we’re already going through the worst moment of our lives,” she said.
As police continue to investigate the hit-and-run driver, they are also treating the anonymous deliveries as a separate case.
Officers say that if the person behind the packages is found, they could face charges depending on the intent behind the act.
Anyone with information about the hit-and-run or the packages is asked to contact Chesterfield County Police or send tips anonymously through Crime Solvers.