“We all go through obstacles in our lives and eventually, I’ll get past this,” said 16-year-old Brittany Barnard, demonstrating the will power and love she has for her family.
It was will power that helped the Liberty County teen maintain her composure and assist her three brothers and mother out of a window as flames consumed their mobile home in the early morning hours of May 30.
The fire drew community-wide attention, in part, because authorities have said they believe Brittany’s mother, Julie Lynette Barnard, started the blaze in an apparent murder-suicide attempt.
The teen’s parents, Julie and John Barnard, are in the midst of a divorce. But at the time of the fire, the couple and their four children were together at a home in Gum Branch.
Julie Barnard, who had traveled to Gum Branch from her home in Statesboro the evening before the fire, was reportedly planning to take the children back with her for a visit.
But, according to reports, she asked to spend the night and leave with the children the next morning because she was tired.
At about 4 a.m., John Barnard awoke to fire and smoke at his bedroom door, and the children were awakened when a smoke alarm sounded.
“My mother came into the room and she asked us to pray, and I thought Lord please help us get out of here,” Brittany said.
As if to answer her own prayer, she realized she had to do something or they would all perish.
She grabbed a small stereo and used it to break a window. She then helped her brothers and mother out of the window before rushing out herself. In the process she sustained a severe cut to her right hand.
“The glass cut the tendons in one of my fingers almost all the way down to the bone. There was so much blood, but they were able to repair it,” she said.
Julie Barnard took the children to Liberty Regional Medical Center and then left.
Warrants were issued for her arrest and she was apprehended later that evening in Long County. She was found wandering the roads around Oakridge Cemetery and informed police she was planning on killing herself.
She is currently at Liberty County Jail, and faces charges of arson in the first degree and five counts of aggravated assault.
Brittany, who had to undergo surgery for the injury to her hand, spent the evening recuperating in the hospital. Her brothers were treated for minor injuries and released the same day, and were then taken to the Department of Family and Children Services.
The next day, the family was reunited and are currently staying with their grandmother, Ottie Lee Barnard.
“The children are doing fine. DFACS donated some beds for the children to sleep on and we moved some things around to get them comfortable,” Ottie Lee Barnard said. “We are doing our best, but they know their mother is in jail. It’s one of those things where they don’t talk about it and I don’t bring it up.”
Teenage hero
Brittany is being heralded by her family and the community for her life-saving actions.
On Friday, the Gum Branch Volunteer Fire Department honored her during a small ceremony at the fire station where Capt. Ken Trinoskey presented the teen with a community Among those present were the teen’s brothers, John, 15, Jarelle, 13, Jeremiah, 11, and their grandmother.
They were surprised about the ceremony and overjoyed when they were told they were also receiving a new computer courtesy of Carter’s Computers.
Since the fire, the community has provided the family with donations and gifts.
Community outpouring
The Gum Branch Fire Department, along with the auxiliary, collected donations of clothing and other items for the family.
“This is not something we normally do. But due to the circumstances that are involved in this case, we felt this was not looking for a handout but more so giving them a hand up,” Debbie Bradley, a member of the fire department and auxiliary, said.
Among the items donated was a new X-Box, from Gold and Silver Pawn, for the boys to play video games.
“It feels great to know we have people looking out for us, John Barnard Jr. said. “When they told us about the computer, that was like, wow, that’s over the top.”
“The community has provided so much. They have been very helpful and we truly appreciate everything they have done for us,” Brittany said.
“These children are so well behaved, gracious and humble. They were grateful for everything they received, even items like toothpaste and toiletries,” Wendy Newton, a Gum Branch Fire Department volunteer, said.
As they continue to recover, the boys said they look forward to playing their video games. Brittany plans to work on rehabilitating her hand and getting back to playing one of her favorite sports, tennis.
Acknowledgements
The following individuals and organizations have helped the Barnard family in their recovery:
Dreggor’s Farms on Highway 196
Etoria Nixon
Liberty EMS
Manna House
Gold and Silver Pawn
Hinesville Family Dental
Family Connections
Gertrude Allen
Ches and Jimi O’Neal
Shawn Smith
Liberty Baptist Church in Gum Branch
Ludowici Church of God
Wal-Mart of Hinesville
Melinda Ford
It was will power that helped the Liberty County teen maintain her composure and assist her three brothers and mother out of a window as flames consumed their mobile home in the early morning hours of May 30.
The fire drew community-wide attention, in part, because authorities have said they believe Brittany’s mother, Julie Lynette Barnard, started the blaze in an apparent murder-suicide attempt.
The teen’s parents, Julie and John Barnard, are in the midst of a divorce. But at the time of the fire, the couple and their four children were together at a home in Gum Branch.
Julie Barnard, who had traveled to Gum Branch from her home in Statesboro the evening before the fire, was reportedly planning to take the children back with her for a visit.
But, according to reports, she asked to spend the night and leave with the children the next morning because she was tired.
At about 4 a.m., John Barnard awoke to fire and smoke at his bedroom door, and the children were awakened when a smoke alarm sounded.
“My mother came into the room and she asked us to pray, and I thought Lord please help us get out of here,” Brittany said.
As if to answer her own prayer, she realized she had to do something or they would all perish.
She grabbed a small stereo and used it to break a window. She then helped her brothers and mother out of the window before rushing out herself. In the process she sustained a severe cut to her right hand.
“The glass cut the tendons in one of my fingers almost all the way down to the bone. There was so much blood, but they were able to repair it,” she said.
Julie Barnard took the children to Liberty Regional Medical Center and then left.
Warrants were issued for her arrest and she was apprehended later that evening in Long County. She was found wandering the roads around Oakridge Cemetery and informed police she was planning on killing herself.
She is currently at Liberty County Jail, and faces charges of arson in the first degree and five counts of aggravated assault.
Brittany, who had to undergo surgery for the injury to her hand, spent the evening recuperating in the hospital. Her brothers were treated for minor injuries and released the same day, and were then taken to the Department of Family and Children Services.
The next day, the family was reunited and are currently staying with their grandmother, Ottie Lee Barnard.
“The children are doing fine. DFACS donated some beds for the children to sleep on and we moved some things around to get them comfortable,” Ottie Lee Barnard said. “We are doing our best, but they know their mother is in jail. It’s one of those things where they don’t talk about it and I don’t bring it up.”
Teenage hero
Brittany is being heralded by her family and the community for her life-saving actions.
On Friday, the Gum Branch Volunteer Fire Department honored her during a small ceremony at the fire station where Capt. Ken Trinoskey presented the teen with a community Among those present were the teen’s brothers, John, 15, Jarelle, 13, Jeremiah, 11, and their grandmother.
They were surprised about the ceremony and overjoyed when they were told they were also receiving a new computer courtesy of Carter’s Computers.
Since the fire, the community has provided the family with donations and gifts.
Community outpouring
The Gum Branch Fire Department, along with the auxiliary, collected donations of clothing and other items for the family.
“This is not something we normally do. But due to the circumstances that are involved in this case, we felt this was not looking for a handout but more so giving them a hand up,” Debbie Bradley, a member of the fire department and auxiliary, said.
Among the items donated was a new X-Box, from Gold and Silver Pawn, for the boys to play video games.
“It feels great to know we have people looking out for us, John Barnard Jr. said. “When they told us about the computer, that was like, wow, that’s over the top.”
“The community has provided so much. They have been very helpful and we truly appreciate everything they have done for us,” Brittany said.
“These children are so well behaved, gracious and humble. They were grateful for everything they received, even items like toothpaste and toiletries,” Wendy Newton, a Gum Branch Fire Department volunteer, said.
As they continue to recover, the boys said they look forward to playing their video games. Brittany plans to work on rehabilitating her hand and getting back to playing one of her favorite sports, tennis.
Acknowledgements
The following individuals and organizations have helped the Barnard family in their recovery:
Dreggor’s Farms on Highway 196
Etoria Nixon
Liberty EMS
Manna House
Gold and Silver Pawn
Hinesville Family Dental
Family Connections
Gertrude Allen
Ches and Jimi O’Neal
Shawn Smith
Liberty Baptist Church in Gum Branch
Ludowici Church of God
Wal-Mart of Hinesville
Melinda Ford