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Last updated 10:08 am CT February 09, 2010.

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Four Year Old Returns Home

MARION -- A plane carrying four year old Evan Cuttright landed at Williamson County Airport Monday afternoon. He was returning to Southern Illinois after being treated at an Evansville Hospital. Most of Evan's family members drove home from Evansville, but his grandmother, a pilot, brought her grandson, in a body cast, back to Southern Illinois in style. Susan Tackitt has raked up a lot of time in the air lately. Since last week when her four year old grandson was sent to the hospital in Evansville she has made multiple flights.

"He wouldn't eat for anybody, I had to fly back and forth to feed him, grandma's the only one that he'd eat for or even take the medicine," said Tackitt.

It was pretty cramped inside the plane as the two made the short flight home. Evan had a special harness made for him so he could fly with his Grandmother. Tackitt says the family has received a lot of prayers the past few days.

"I'm a volunteer at the VA been doing it for 19 years and he's been doing it for like two years now, he passes popsicles out to the guys and they'll be happy to see that he's ok," said Tackitt.

But the guys at the VA aren't the only ones happy to see Evan's doing alright.

"I'm glad he's home," said Kaysha Chaney, Evan's neighbor.

Chaney was playing with Evan along Vinewood lane in Marion. When he ran across the street towards Chaney's grandmother's house. That's when a truck came down the road, the skid marks still show the drivers desperate attempt to stop.

"When he woke up he started crying and my momma was holding on to his arm and he was trying to get up and start playing, but my momma wouldn't let him because he had a swelled up leg really bad," said Chaney.

The rest of Kaysha's family says the whole neighborhood is happy to see Evan back home.

"I am so blessed, I didn't realize how loved I was, and I'm telling you this kid is a special kid," said Tackitt.

Marion Police Chief Gene Goolsby says no charges have been filed against the driver who hit Evan, because it was as he put it, "an accident."

By Ryan Kruger
rkruger@wsiltv.com

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