*This article contains a graphic image of one of the victims*
Parma Police are searching for a vehicle that was allegedly involved in a hit-skip that left a 2-year-old boy and his mother with serious injuries.
Around 7 p.m. on Friday, officers responded to the parking lot of Marc's, located on Ridgewood Drive, after a 32-year-old mother and her toddler were struck by a vehicle while she was pushing him in a cart, Parma Police said.
News 5 Reporter Kaylee Olivas spoke with the mother, Shalonte Maddox, Sunday afternoon about what happened. Maddox and her son, Genesis Ojikutu, are still in the hospital as of Sunday.
"Friday was my nephew's birthday, and I was responsible for getting the snacks, so I went to Marc's to get the snacks," Maddox said. "I saw the car, but I thought I had more than enough time to walk across the street. I was walking in the lines as well."
Maddox said she was on the phone with her sister when the accident happened.
"I remember looking up and I [saw] the car at my leg. I thought it was going to brake, but it didn't brake. It just proceeded to go. I did like a twist in the air and fell. I thought the (shopping) cart went forward because I didn't see my baby. I was just looking around," Maddox explained.
While police said the vehicle made no attempt to stop, Maddox recalled the driver stopping for a brief moment before traveling eastbound towards Ridge Road.
"When the car stopped and then decided to keep going, my baby came from up under the car. He rolled from up under the car," she said.
Maddox added several people witnessed the incident and not only ran to her aid but tried flagging the driver, who allegedly plowed through the pair to stop.
"I ran over to pick my baby up and I felt myself have an asthma attack," Maddox said. "My baby's forehead was wide open. I was able to see his skull through his head. There was a lady who hovered over me and my son and prayed for us. She was just praying. I really want to thank her."
Maddox said Genesis now has a broken arm, a stitched-up forehead, a road rash on the back of his head and swollen eyes. Maddox said her body is sore, and she has some bruising.
"I have no more tears at this point. I'm filled with anger. You did something wrong. Just have some remorse. That's my biggest thing. He's two years old. I understand you hit me, but you hurt my baby. You saw my baby on your windshield for sure. My baby went up in the air on your hood. You [saw] that. You could have stopped," Maddox said.
As of Sunday night, the driver has not been located.
The suspect's vehicle is described as a dark-colored sedan, possibly black or blue, with silver trim and tinted windows, police said.
Maddox claimed that a Marc's employee ran the license plate and said it was registered to a Canton address.
Maddox said she wants to see the driver held accountable and, more importantly, to see justice for her toddler.
"My friend's son was hit by a car. The person got 30 days in jail. This person who did this to my son would not get 30 days. I'm not going for that. You hit my son and you left him there," Maddox stated.
While Parma Police continue searching for the suspect, Maddox said her son has a long road to recovery but that he's strong.
"He's strong for himself. I am not religious, but I do know that Genesis is the beginning of the Bible. I knew that having him was going to be a new start for me. Down to the meaning of his name, he was supposed to be here. For me and his father's sake, he grew us up. This is the beginning of a new life for both of us and it's been that way since he'd been born," Maddox shared.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Parma Police Department Crime Tip Line at (440) 887-7340 or crimetips@parmajustice.net.
If you'd like to donate to Maddox and her son's medical expenses, there is a GoFundMe.
The GoFundMe has already raised more than $1,000. Maddox said she's grateful for everyone who has rallied behind her family thus far.
"When you feel like you're in a world that you don't have so many people, and then all these kind strangers come out of nowhere concerned about my child. It fills me with joy. I would have never imagined anyone caring that day," Maddox stated.
