Here’s How You Can Help This Trans Teen Who Was Brutally Assaulted

It was every mother's worst nightmare when Euridice Darrington discovered the unconscious body of her son on the floor of the teen's first apartment. Now months later, the distraught mom and a member of the local community are asking for the public's help in lifting his spirits as he faces a long road ahead recovering from a brutal assault.

This past May, in Bakersfield, California, Darrington grew concerned when she hadn't heard from her son in two days. As the pair are close, and talk every day, Darrngton went in sarch of her son. Along with Rouse's ex-girlfriend, the pair went to his apartment where they peered inside through a window and saw him sprawled motionless on the floor.

When called, due to legal restraints requiring evidence of a crime or emergency before gaining entry without permission, police refused to enter the apartment and left. Darrington was eventually able to gain entry to the unit with the help of a maintenance worker. Once inside, they found Rouse, who is trans, was the victim of a violent crime and had strangulation marks around his neck. His shirt was also ripped open exposing his chest. Doctors eventually determined he suffered from two collapsed lungs and other injuries to his body.

"We don't know how long he'll be in the hospital," Darrington said told LGBT Nation of the injuries. Rouse, 18, had been in the Intensive Care Unit at Bakersfield Memorial Hospital on a ventilator for four weeks, before he was transferred to a center in West Covina specializing in respiratory care. His mother noted he still "has no feeling" in his right foot and doctors "say it will probably take two years to get complete use of his right arm and leg."

"Kristian's mood is all over the place and he gets pretty depressed," Darrington said, noting that they"are both traumatized" by the assault and aftermath. "This happened at the end of his senior year and he missed his graduation because he was in the hospital." But as news began to circulate, community members also reached out.

"I reached out to her because I'm one of the leaders for Free Mom Hugs in California," local activist Kelly McKinsey told LGBTQ Nation about her efforts to lift Rouse's spirits. "When I heard his story happened in my home town I felt like I had a network I could reach out to, to do something for them."

McKinsey is asking people to send a greeting card with notes of encouragement to Rouse. Any messages will be delivered to the teen, along with a hug.

If you'd like to help out, you can send a card with a note of encouragement to the following address:

Kristian Rouse
c/o Kelly McKinsey
PO Box 5895
Bakersfield CA 93388

Concerned readers can also help defray the family's medical expenses by contributing to their GoFundMe page.

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