GASTON COUNTY, N.C.,None — Since their 2-year-old granddaughter, Addison Grace Lanham, died on July 21, Scott and Paula Bridges have wondered what the next day will hold.
They went from a life outside the spotlight to being thrust into the middle of a story that has tore at the hearts of countless people and left the community with many unanswered questions. Why did a little girl have to die from an infection that is easily treatable? Why didn't Addison's mother take her to a doctor or a hospital? How did the child end up with a broken leg and other wounds on her body before she died? And, the biggest question of all, did the Gaston Department of Social Services drop the ball by not intervening quickly enough after getting at least six calls from family members warning that the girl's mother had placed her in harm's way by living in the same place with a registered sex offender?
The Bridges don't have answers for those questions. But Paula Bridges saw a different side of their daughter, Shanna Lanham, the mother of Addison who now sits in prison on charges of felony child abuse.
Paula Bridges, 54, works with the U.S. Postal Service in Dallas while her husband, 48-year-old Scott Bridges, is Shanna's stepfather and is a self-employed home repairman.
In the wake of Addison's funeral and burial on July 30, Paula and Scott say they want to thank the community for the kindness they've been shown.
"We just want to tell how much we appreciate all the support," Paula Bridges said. "It shows that there really are a lot of great people in this world."
Scott said one of the things that touched them the most at Addison's funeral was when the Gastonia chapter of the Guardians of the Children motorcycle group showed their support.
"They advocate against child abuse. Most of the time, bikers are stereotyped as rough people," he said. "One prayed and read scripture at the graveside. The support has been unbelievable."
Paula says they've received letters and cards of support from people they don't even know.
"This world is bad but there are a lot of great people. We were just in awe of the support that we got," she said.
The Bridges said that their pastor, the Rev. Don Jewell of Ragan Wesleyan Church in Gastonia, did an excellent job speaking at Addison's funeral. The couple says that Jewell has continued to offer spiritual support and they're deeply appreciative for that.
"I mean, it was handled very professionally. He done a great job. We thanked him on Sunday," Scott said, adding that funeral director Scott Greene of Greene's Funeral Service did a fine job planning Addison's funeral.
Shanna in jail
Shanna and Addison lived with the Bridges at their Bessemer City home for about a year and a half, Paula Bridges said. When Addison was born, she was brought to the Bridges home from the hospital.
About four-and-a-half months ago, Paula says that Shanna and Addison left their home. They moved into the America's Best Inn in Bessemer City. Shanna said they were later joined by her boyfriend, Jason Michael Wells, a registered sex offender.
"I knew Shanna wanted to get her life back together," Paula said.
Wells faces the same charges as Shanna in the wake of Addison's death. Shanna said she'd left Addison in a motel room with Wells while she was at work on July 21, the day Addison died.
Police say that a medical examiner's report indicated the toddler died of a blood infection and that she had infections that had gone untreated.
Paula Bridges said Shanna was at her and Scott's home when police came to arrest her on July 26.
"We knew charges were coming, we just didn't know when," Scott said.
Paula plans on traveling to the Gaston County Jail to visit Shanna but hadn't as of Friday evening. Paula's other daughter, Aleta Bridges, has been to visit Shanna in jail.
DSS investigation
Paula said she didn't know anything about the DSS investigation against Shanna or how long it had been going on. She hadn't seen Addison in about four-and-a-half months.
Scott Bridges said he believes Addison's death should be looked into. Paula says they've been keeping up with how the DSS investigation came to be by reading The Gazette.
According to police, DSS officials have been investigating Shanna since May or June. Paula Bridges says that Shanna had another child that was adopted by other folks and now that Addison is dead, she's left without any grandchildren.
"She was the sweetest, lovingest thing you'd ever seen and then, she wasn't here. I missed it," Paula said. "She was a very loving little girl. We could fix supper at night."
DSS officials recently handed over a report on Addison to the District Attorney's Office, where it could become public record if signed off by District Attorney Locke Bell.
Death's shock
Paula described Shanna Lanham as a loving mother who, while she was living with them, tended to Addison's needs.
"I do know that Shanna loved her daughter with a passion. I think she didn't make the right choices," Paula Bridges said. "When they were here, Addison could fall and scratch her knee and she'd say, ‘Oh, we need to go to the hospital.' That's the way she was with her."
Paula said when she heard that Addison had died, "It was a shock. It was a very big shock."
Scott says he's the type of person who wants to know both sides of an issue. He and Paula might be present for some of Shanna's court dates but they don't think they'll be very much involved in the proceedings.
"Regardless of how it comes out, there has to be forgiveness," Scott Bridges said. "I think (District Attorney) Locke Bell will do a fine job."
Paula said that when Shanna was arrested, making the arrangements for Addison's funeral became her responsibility. The police investigation also took a toll on the Bridges.
"You don't get no sleep there for nine days when the investigation was going on," Scott Bridges said. "A lot of people judge without knowing both sides."
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