Sweat-soaked nightmares. Inconsolable tears. Fear of the dark, and being alone.

        Scars, both physical and mental.

        And no money for psychological counseling.

Coko Ross and her son Devonte Williams in his room at Children's Hospital last summer. (Brandi Stafford photo) | ZOOM |

        Devonte Williams, the baby shot by Larry Washington in Over-the-Rhine in July, turned 3 on Dec. 23. He is not all right, his grandmother said.

        “He's taking it pretty bad. He has nightmares now,” said Carmen Evans of Springfield Township, who often watches Devonte and his 6-year-old brother, Fonzi, who witnessed the shooting.

        “He wakes up in a sweat, yelling "don't do it!' and "get off of me!'”

        “Fonzi got that attitude that he wants to kill this guy who shot his brother,” she said. “These little guys need help.”

        The boys' mother, Coko Ross, received overwhelming public support following media interviews at Children's Hospital Medical Center, where Devonte underwent surgery. He was shot in the lower torso, the bullet striking his liver and diaphragm, but missing a major artery by a half-inch.

        “He could have bled to death real easily,” Children's Hospital Dr. Brad Warner said at the time.

        Upon his release, Devonte was something of a celebrity. The Cincinnati Zoo brought some animals to Mrs. Evans' back yard for Devonte to ride.

        But over time, Mrs. Evans said, the promises of assistance by city officials failed to materialize. Ms. Ross and her sons moved back to Fay Apartments in North Fairmount, but the boys split time with their grandmother.

        “I'll point to the scars and say, "Devonte, what happened there?'” Mrs. Evans said. “And he says, "Some guy shot me.'”

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