Romalice and Ro’Siah Brooks’ parents characterized the two boys as inseparable, even in their last moments.
“I’m broken, but I know things will get better in time. But I don’t see it right now “Teghan Ivy, their mother, said
That mother described a horrific scene, telling ABC7 that she heard her children’s screams, saw them struggle in the water, but couldn’t do anything except watch helplessly for what felt like an eternity.
On Wednesday afternoon, the boys perished after slipping into an ice pond while visiting their grandmother’s house in Palatine.
Romalice, 6, and Ro’Siah, 4, were described as more than siblings by relatives. They were each other’s protectors.
“I’m missing my guys. They clashed. They battled valiantly. They really did. And they, collectively, “Ivy said.
Their mother was inside when she claimed to have heard her boys shouting for her name.
“‘Mommy! Mommy!’ I heard them say. And I went outdoors. I did the only thing I could think of. I took off my shoes and went out onto the ice to try to grab them. I didn’t get there in time. The ice shattered, and I plummeted in with it. I made an attempt!” Ivy said. “It felt like forever waiting for them to get them out that water.”
To the sound of their mother’s cries, the boys vanished under the waves.
Both were buried for over 20 minutes before being hauled to dry ground by rescue divers.
Palatine firemen rescued two toddlers from the water in the 800 block of Panorama Drive around 3:31 p.m., according to police. They were brought to two different hospitals and died hours later.
“They had heard us. In that hospital, they heard us. They were also fighting. They battled! “stated the boys’ father, Romalice Brooks. “But they’d been in that water for a very long time. One was there for five to fifteen minutes. The other was between 15 and 20 minutes.”
A parent’s worst nightmare has become a reality for these two.
“It was a great experiment, and I am so sad that I could not complete that,” Brooks remarked. “All I can do is recollect the wonderful moments I had with my sons. Experimenting with them in terms of becoming the parent I wished I had; the father I lacked.”
According to the parents, their boys were constantly together.
“They were the definition, like I said, of ‘my brother’s keeper,” Ivy added. “Even to their final moments, they were together.”
Ivy shared ABC7 photographs of her boys painting Halloween pumpkins. Those identical pumpkins, along with their fingerprints and imprints, now sit by their bereaved parents.
“They’re keeping an eye on us. Our heavenly guardians, “Ivy said. “I’m glad we were there to be at their sides. We were able to communicate with them. They had heard us.”
On this Christmas marked by tragedy, these parents are grateful for the time and affection they spent together.
“Thank you for the finest six and four years of my life. You guys have taught me so much, and I will be eternally thankful “She said.
The boys’ burial is still pending while the family deals with this Thanksgiving tragedy. The family is fundraising for a suitable burial. Their GoFundMe page is here.
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