Prayer Vigil for Zander

Some good news this afternoon, the little boy who police say was severely beaten by his own father is doing a lot better and doctors are pleased with his progress. News 25’s Kendra Turley takes us inside a Gulfport prayer vigil held in support of Zander’s recovery.

Less than a week into his recovery, three-year-old Zander Saucier is now sitting up and giving high fives. Family members say these are tremendous strides, as his young body fights to heal from a case of abuse that sent him to ICU. Zander’s grandfather Mike Pritchard said, “Haven’t got to see him because of the condition that he’s in right now. Hopefully today with him getting the MRI, they’ll move him out of ICU and into a normal room so the rest of the family can get to see him.”

Since many are unable to make the trip to Mobile, Alabama to shower Zander and his family with love and encouragement, Pastor Presley opened the doors of the Nugent United Methodist Church for a prayer vigil in the three-year-old’s honor. “They’ve been coming to church here for a couple of years. Zander, since he’s been born, but both of them were baptized on Easter, just two weeks ago, enjoying the church.”

Pastor Presley started the vigil off with a prayer in front of a full house and left the doors open for anyone to come and go as they please. Church members, community members, family members and strangers approached the altar to say a prayer, light a candle, and show support for Zander. Heather Matos was one of the first to arrive to the sanctuary and one of the last to leave. Having endured a similar situation with her son, whose middle name is coincidentally Zander, she felt the need to show as much support as possible. “He’s a defenseless baby and no baby at any age, infant to toddler to teenager, should ever have to go through what this baby is going through,” said Matos.

Surrounded by family cheering him on and floods of tears, prayers, and words of comfort from the community, little Zander won’t travel the road to recovery alone. “Zander, we love you. Your mother loves you. Mimi loves you. They’re not going to leave your side. They’re gonna be there every day and every minute until you come home,” said Pritchard.

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