REMEMBERING TRAVIS

Travis W. Young was a precious three year old boy whose life ended far too soon. Born in 2018, Travis was at an age when childhood should have been filled with discovery, laughter, play, and the excitement of learning something new every day. He should have had years ahead of him to make friends, attend school, celebrate birthdays, and create memories with the people who loved him. Instead, Travis lost his life while in the care of an adult who was supposed to keep him safe. His death shocked his community and led to a criminal investigation that revealed the violence he had suffered. But Travis deserves to be remembered as more than the circumstances of his death. He was a little boy with a life of his own, a family who would forever feel his absence, and a future that should never have been taken away.

TRAVIS'S STORY

On May 28, 2022, Travis was at a home on East First Street in Everett, Pennsylvania, with his father's girlfriend, Chelsea Renae Cooley. His father was working a twelve hour shift, leaving Travis in Cooley's care. According to investigators, Cooley reported that Travis had refused to eat his lunch and dinner that day. She claimed that she put him to bed around 7:30 p.m. and discovered him unresponsive approximately an hour later. When emergency responders arrived, they found that Travis had baby wipes lodged deep inside his throat. Paramedics removed four wipes using medical forceps. Investigators later determined that their position and the extent of Travis's injuries were inconsistent with a child placing them there himself. Travis was transported to UPMC Bedford before being airlifted to UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. Despite medical efforts to save him, Travis died on May 29, 2022. He was only three years old. An autopsy revealed extensive bruising and injuries to his body, including his neck, face, and chest. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner determined that Travis had died from manual strangulation and asphyxiation and ruled his death a homicide. A investigators reconstructed the events of that evening, they discovered additional evidence concerning Cooley's actions. A neighbor reported hearing screaming and a woman yelling at approximately the time Travis was injured. Investigators also discovered that Cooley had taken a photograph of Travis lying unresponsive with visible injuries at 8:41 p.m. However, the emergency call was not placed until approximately 9:07 p.m. During the investigation, authorities determined that Cooley was the adult responsible for the fatal violence inflicted upon Travis. The little boy who should have been safe in his home had instead suffered injuries that ended his life.

JUSTICE FOR TRAVIS

Following Travis's death, Pennsylvania State Police investigated the circumstances surrounding his injuries. Chelsea Renae Cooley was arrested and initially charged with criminal homicide, aggravated assault, strangulation, endangering the welfare of children, and related offenses.

Chelsea Renae Cooley

Relationship to Travis: Father's Girlfriend

Convictions: Third degree murder, felony strangulation, and endangering the welfare of a child

Sentence: 40 to 80 years in prison On April 8, 2024, Chelsea Renae Cooley pleaded guilty in Bedford County Court to third degree murder, felony strangulation, and endangering the welfare of a child. The guilty plea established her criminal responsibility for Travis's death. During the proceedings, prosecutors described the evidence showing that Travis had suffered fatal injuries while Cooley was responsible for his care. The investigation had also revealed that Cooley delayed seeking emergency assistance despite evidence that Travis was unresponsive and seriously injured. Cooley was sentenced to forty to eighty years in state prison. Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry publicly acknowledged the devastating impact of Travis's death and expressed hope that the guilty plea and lengthy sentence would provide some measure of justice for his loved ones. Although Cooley received a substantial prison sentence, no punishment could restore Travis's life or return the years that were taken from him.

FOREVER REMEMBERED

Travis W. Young should have had the chance to grow up. He should have celebrated his fourth birthday, started school, made friends, and discovered the things that made him happy. There should have been ordinary childhood moments, from playing outside and learning new words to sharing stories and making memories with his family. Those simple experiences were part of the future Travis deserved. Instead, his life ended when he was only three years old. His story is a reminder of the responsibility adults have to protect children who are too young to defend themselves. But Travis deserves to be remembered for more than the violence he suffered. He was a little boy whose life mattered, whose future held promise, and whose memory deserves to be preserved with dignity. The years he never had cannot be restored, but his name will continue to be spoken and remembered. Abuse Angels remembers Travis W. Young. Remembered. Honored. Never Forgotten.