Contributed photo / Grayson and Mikey MeadowsA 4-year-old boy who suffered severe brain injuries in Sunday's violent storms died Wednesday afternoon, according to the Chattanooga Fire Department.
Grayson Meadows and his father Mikey were in a house with family off Batters Place Road when the EF-3 tornado hit on Sunday night. They were both hospitalized and in the ICU.
His mother, Danyelle Meadows, took to social media Monday morning to plead with the community to pray.
"Tell God to do what the doctors say is not possible," she wrote in a public Facebook post. "Heal him fully and leave him here on this earth with me. Please. I cannot lose my boy. His name is Grayson. He is 4 years old."
Later that morning and early afternoon, Grayson fluttered his eyes and moved his arms when Danyelle touched his hand, she wrote in a Facebook update. But he stopped moving shortly after.
Doctors performed a number of tests, but "with heavy hearts full of sadness," the fire department confirmed Grayson died Wednesday afternoon.
Contributed photo / Grayson and Mikey Meadows "The Chattanooga Fire Department grieves with the family and friends of the victim," a news release states.
Mikey Meadows remained hospitalized, according to family members' Facebook posts. He experienced severe head trauma and had to undergo surgery.
"Right now the goal for him is for him to wake up," Danyelle wrote.
Mikey Meadows has shown small signs of improvement, like opening his eyes and some movement, but "it's still early and we don't know much else yet but we need all the help and just, thank you so much!" family member Christine Meadows wrote in another public Facebook post.
On Sunday night, the EF-3 tornado killed at least 11 people, injured dozens more and left many without power in Southeast Tennessee and North Georgia. The storm destroyed hundreds of homes at a time when scores of people in the area were already struggling with the health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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