I’m saddened by the story of what happened to Haven Lemaire in Lafayette; he is just fourteen years old and has been through enough. At such an early age, his loss of a father would be hard. I remember my friend lost his dad. He did not talk for weeks. I cannot imagine how Haven felt when it got worse at the funeral.
People gathered to bid goodbye to Eric Lemaire. Funerals are already disturbing for most people. Everybody talks in subdued tones and appears tired. But this place didn’t remain tranquil. It became a thing no child should have been subjected to.
Haven’s mother, Sarah, later posted about all of this online. She stated that Haven just wanted to take one last picture by his father’s casket. He asked nicely. But a relative said something rude. It upset him, and he reacted. I think anyone of my age would have reacted in the same way. The small comments hurt even when they may not be intended to hurt at such overstressed emotional times.
Sarah thought it was best to walk away and leave before things further escalated. However, on their way out, other family members confronted her. She stated that Selena got in her face and bragged about how she helped pay for part of the burial, to which Sarah felt was unwarranted, and told her to back off. Then she said Sebrina blindsided her.
At that moment, Haven came into the room, yelling for his mother. That moment hit me harder because, honestly, if I saw someone jumping on my mom, I definitely wouldn’t think twice about it and intervene, no matter how fearful I am or how old these people are. The first instinct is to protect your mom.
Sarah recalled that Haven was trying to pull Sebrina away. That is when she says Steven Crosby, his uncle, grabbed Haven and restrained him. I remember she said more people came in, and she got pushed down as she listened to her son screaming at them to stop. That moment was etched into my mind because I know how children feel on the inside, helpless, whenever helplessness is felt amongst adults.
Sarah went on to say that a friend intervened and was also struck. The police were supposed to come because of the family’s prior problems, but no one showed up.
Later on, she would suggest that perhaps some family members had planned to corner her because they wanted to hurt whatever part of Eric remained. Paying a long distance and leaving so frightened and broken after burying their own blood has limited meaning to her. She felt like Eric was still protecting her somehow, that she didn’t even get bruised.
But the other side of the family tells a different story.
Selena commented on Haven’s video, saying Sarah had actually tried to get them all out when they assisted in paying for the funeral. She alleges that Sarah had gotten into her face, cursed her, and slapped her hand. Selena admitted she put her purse down to confront Sarah, but claims Sarah ran at Sebrina first.
Jennifer Crosby, wife of the uncle who held onto Haven, stated that her husband did not hurt the little boy and only tried to stop some fighting. She said Sarah was the troublemaker in the entire affair, and she questioned why a mother would drag her kids into this.
A few people from the funeral corroborated them and stated that Sarah was behaving badly, and her online posts have worsened things. Some remarked that Haven was forced to conduct himself as an adult, much to the irony of the adults in the place, which is, for me, just plain depressing.
From there, both families found their way onto social media. Videos, comments, and all public accusations are now out in the open for anyone to see, including Haven and his brother. I’ve seen it when two of my relatives chose to argue online, and it felt very awkward. This is way worse because it involves a boy in mourning for his father.
There is no clear verdict on this family feud because everyone seems to tell a different story. The videos seem to capture some moments. Online conversations are emotional. But one thing nobody can challenge is the fact that a child is being put in the middle of it all, when all he deserved was to grieve in private.
Haven Lemaire is a young football player who just wanted to say goodbye to his father. Instead, he was dragged away and grabbed and pulled into adult dilemmas. It may take a while for him and his brother to feel again or to feel normal.
I hope everything gets better for him, for goodness’ sake; it’s an injustice when adults forget that children are the ones who remember these moments the most. You may also be interested in: UNH Tight End Chris Jeannot Dies Suddenly Leaving His Parents Mike and Jo Jeannot Heartbroken
