Holly Zachariah
VERIFIED
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Posted May 14, 2016 at 6:42 AM
Reporter and Writer —
The Columbus Dispatch
Mother of 3-year-old who survived Pike County shootings learns to adjust
So it was on April 21 that Chelsea told Frankie there was a sickness at daycare and she didn’t want to take Brentley on Friday. Could Frankie and Hannah watch him instead? They said yes, of course. She dropped Brentley off at the Union Hill Road trailer Thursday night, and says she visited until maybe about 10:30 p.m.: ’I told Brentley and all of them same thing as always: ‘Love you guys. Be careful.″
Kendra Rhoden: I could have been the ninth victim in Pike Co. family massacre
April 21, Kendra Rhoden and her boyfriend were driving down Highway 32, following behind Hanna Rhoden and her red Jeep. The two Rhoden cousins were headed to Hanna's house for a sleepover.
But, a bit of fate changed the plans the night of the killings. Kendra's boyfriend developed a toothache and the pair turned around on Highway 32 and headed back to Kendra's house - clear across the county.
Kendra said she'd planned to return to Union Hill Road and stay with Hanna that night. But then, a friend called asking if Kendra could babysit. She couldn't pass up a favor for a friend—and the extra money—and spent the night caring for her friend's baby.
So she said she’d see Hanna — who was like an inseparable sister to her – the next day.
EXCLUSIVE: 'Ain't got no revenge in our hearts,' Pike Co. family says
Pike County massacre: Who are the victims?
On Thursday, Dana Rhoden worked a double-shift after a co-worker was unable to work. She overslept and arrived at 8 a.m. and worked until about 11 p.m., Hillside manager Heather Frost-Young said.
Matthew Smith, the center’s administrator, said she had worked at the 49-bed facility since October and called her “a kind and caring worker” who was loved by patients and co-workers alike. She worked Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and an every-other-weekend rotation.
Pike County: Death in the foothills
Chris Jr., 16, was also likely home when their mom arrived home after pulling a double shift at the nursing home because he had school the next day.
Down the road, Chris Sr. and Tony talked by phone about getting a part to fix Dana’s faucet. The conversation was brief. Neither a man of many words. They signed off, saying they would see each other the next day at work at Big Bear.
On April 21, Hannah Gilley's sister Meranda had packed a bag to spend the night after she finished her job at a local pizza parlor, said their grandfather Kenny Shoemaker.
But for whatever reason, Meranda drove past Union Hill Road that night.