Remembering Hadley

Hadley Charles Thomas Arnett was only six months old. His obituary preserves something important that criminal records cannot: his whole name and the family to whom he belonged. Hadley was the son of Brittany Arnett and Joseph Powlette. He was a grandson, great-grandson and nephew, surrounded by family members whose names appeared alongside his when he was laid to rest. Hadley had barely begun his life. At six months old, he was entirely dependent upon the adults around him for food, comfort, protection and medical care. He could not tell anyone when something hurt or seek help for himself. Most of what remains publicly available about Hadley concerns the violence that ended his life. But Hadley was a baby before he became the victim in a murder investigation. His name was Hadley Charles Thomas Arnett. And six months was still a life that mattered.

Hadley's Story

On January 27, 2013, six month old Hadley was home in Inverness, Florida, with his mother, Brittany Nichole Arnett. According to investigators, Brittany later admitted that she became angry and frustrated after her boyfriend left her alone with Hadley. Around noon, she placed Hadley in his baby swing. Over the next several hours, Brittany repeatedly took her anger out on her six month old son. She admitted to investigators that she slammed Hadley’s face into the tray of his swing multiple times. At another point, she grabbed him around his rib cage and forcefully pulled him from the swing, causing his unsupported head to strike the tray. Hadley was a six month old baby. He could not defend himself, get away, or tell anyone what was being done to him. By the time Brittany’s boyfriend returned home, there were clear signs that Hadley was seriously injured. He was having difficulty focusing and was sensitive to touch. There was blood inside his mouth, which had to be removed with a suction bulb. Brittany later acknowledged that she knew something was wrong with her baby. Still, Hadley was not immediately taken for medical treatment. According to investigators, Brittany delayed seeking help because she was afraid she would get in trouble. Hadley was put to bed that night despite his injuries. Brittany told investigators that at approximately 5:30 the following morning, she could still hear him breathing. Less than an hour later, Hadley was brought to Citrus Memorial Hospital. He was unresponsive. He was not breathing. Medical personnel desperately attempted to revive him, but they could not save him. Hadley was pronounced dead on January 28, 2013. The autopsy revealed just how much violence this six month old baby had endured. Hadley had suffered bleeding in his brain, broken ribs, a separated spine and lacerations inside his mouth. There was bruising along his rib cage. There was also a bite mark on his left thigh. The injuries were catastrophic. Hadley had been severely injured while completely dependent upon the very adult responsible for caring for him. Even after there were visible signs that something was terribly wrong, the medical help he desperately needed was delayed.

Justice for Hadley

Brittany Nichole Arnett was arrested after investigators determined that she had caused the injuries that killed Hadley. She initially faced a first degree murder charge, and the murder charge was later reported as second degree murder before the case was resolved through a plea agreement. On February 27, 2014, Brittany pleaded guilty to third degree murder and child neglect. She was sentenced to 12 years in prison.

Person convicted: Brittany Nichole Arnett
Relationship to Hadley: Mother
Convictions: Third degree murder and child neglect
Sentence: 12 years in prison

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At sentencing, Brittany’s mother spoke on her behalf and told the court that she and other members of the family forgave her. Brittany was then taken into custody to begin serving her sentence.

Forever Remembered

Hadley’s life lasted only six months. There was not enough time for him to tell us who he wanted to become. There are no years of school pictures, childhood stories or favorite hobbies for us to preserve. But there was Hadley.  His full name was Hadley Arnett. He was a son. He was a grandson. He was a great-grandson. He was a nephew. He belonged to a family whose names appeared beside his when they buried him in February 2013. The brutality of Hadley’s death deserves to be documented. Hiding what was done to children does nothing to protect the next child. But those injuries are not the only thing worth preserving. Hadley himself is worth preserving. Abuse Angels remembers Hadley Charles Thomas Arnett and the baby boy whose life should have extended far beyond January 28, 2013.