Ivy Jenerette, left, repeatedly hit his stepson, 13-year-old Isaiah Gaymes, center, with a piece of wood and handgun, leading to his death as his mother, Samantha Gaymes, right, allowed it to happen, cops say. (Mug shots: Horry County Sheriff’s Office; Isaiah: Obituary)
A 13-year-old South Carolina boy known for his “resilience, perseverance, and a commitment to making a difference in the world” allegedly died at the hands of his stepfather who beat him to death with a piece of wood and the butt of a handgun as his mother did nothing to stop the brutal assault.
According to an arrest warrant, 40-year-old Ivy Contrell Jenerette repeatedly hit his stepson, Isaiah Gaymes, in the head with a piece of wood and a handgun on May 8 at their home in the Longs community in Horry County, not far from Myrtle Beach. Isaiah’s mother, 34-year-old Samantha Ann Gaymes, allowed the abuse to happen, the warrant said. Authorities reportedly found the bloodied piece of wood and gun with Isaiah’s injuries being consistent with being struck with those items.
Myrtle Beach NBC affiliate WMBF, citing a warrant, reported the boy suffered “multiple blunt force injuries to the side and back of the head, along with several other injuries” that included “broken bones, burns and permanent disfigurement to the face and body.” Police have not given a motive for the incident.
After battling for his life at a hospital, Isaiah died on May 11, authorities said. The coroner said the cause of death was blunt force trauma. Jenerette is facing charges of murder and child abuse while Gaymes is facing a charge of unlawful conduct toward a child. Both are being held at the J. Reuben Long Detention Center without bond.
The community has rallied together to make sure Isaiah did not die in vain. Felecia Bellamy and Angela Gore, educators at Riverside Elementary School, where Isaiah formerly attended, started a scholarship in his honor. The Remembering Isaiah Scholarship Fund would help victims of child abuse pay for higher education and help domestic violence victims.
“This scholarship aims to provide financial assistance to students who exemplify the qualities that Isaiah embodied: resilience, perseverance, and a commitment to making a difference in the world. By investing in their education, we hope to empower these students to break the cycle of abuse and create a brighter future for themselves and their communities,” Bellamy wrote in a Facebook post.
Isaiah’s obituary described him as a “beautiful soul with a heart full of joy.”
“Isaiah had an incredible gift for drawing, using colors and lines to create masterpieces that captivated his imagination. He possessed an innate ability to bring images to life on paper, expressing his thoughts, emotions, and dreams through his artistic creations,” the tribute said.
He also enjoyed nature.
“Though Isaiah’s time on earth was tragically short, he left an indelible mark on the hearts and lives of all who knew him. He taught us the importance of cherishing every moment and embracing the beauty of life. His radiant smile and infectious laughter will forever be etched in our memories,” the obit continued.
Isaiah was laid to rest on Monday.
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