BRETTON WOODS, NH -
A little tired after waking up from a nap, Melissa Jenkins' son Ty appeared to be like almost any other two-year-old.
"He's an amazing little boy. I've said that since the day he was born," says John Jenkins, brother of Melissa.
Jenkins says, considering everything, Ty is doing well and living with a guardian. He and other family members attended a fundraiser for Ty Saturday.
"Pretty amazing that everyone has come for to support this little boy," says Jenkins.
It's hard not to considering what police say happened to him.
In court documents, police say Ty was in his mom's car after she was lured out of her St. Johnsbury home by Allen and Patricia Prue in March.
Police say Ty told them his "mommy" cried and he saw someone pull on her neck. Police say Jenkins was strangled to death.
"A single event often is not going to make a strong mark," say David Rettew M.D., UVM Associate Professor of Psychiatry.
That's because Rettew says a two-year-old might be too young to remember anything except where something bad might have happened.
"There maybe some anxiety about being in a car," says Rettew.
Rettew says unless a child is showing signs of stress they probably shouldn't even see a psychiatrist. He says the challenge for Ty's future will be life without his mom.
"If a child can continue in warm, nurturing, and supportive environment, there is no reason to expect that they can't continue to do well," says Rettew.
On Monday, Ty and some family members attended graduation at St. Michael's College and received a degree in Melissa's name.
She had been studying there at the time of her death.
