What Has the Family Said About the Investigation Into “Wela’s” Reported Injuries?

 Just weeks before her 96th birthday, a Texas family's greatest concern was not celebrating another milestone but trying to understand how their beloved grandmother ended up with severe bruising around both eyes and significant swelling across her face. The woman they lovingly call "Wela" is now at the center of an active investigation as relatives search for answers about injuries they say no one could clearly explain.

According to her granddaughter, JoAnna, family members were shocked when they found Wela with extensive bruising and facial swelling. They were told that the 95-year-old had rolled out of bed and struck her face on a drawer. However, JoAnna said relatives received conflicting information about when the reported fall occurred, creating uncertainty about the timeline of the incident. She also said the family was informed that Wela had been evaluated by a nurse but was not initially transported to a hospital.

Concerned about her condition, the family contacted emergency medical services themselves. JoAnna said Wela was taken for medical evaluation, where doctors determined she had suffered a hematoma. According to the family, physicians found no brain bleed, skull fracture, or signs of a concussion. While those findings brought some relief, they did not answer the family's lingering questions about how the injuries happened or whether additional steps should have been taken sooner.

The circumstances surrounding Wela's injuries remain under investigation, and no official conclusions have been announced. JoAnna said the family has filed a police report and that a state licensing investigation has been opened. At this stage, authorities have not publicly determined what caused the injuries or whether any improper conduct occurred. Those questions remain unresolved as investigators continue gathering information and reviewing the available evidence.

JoAnna said her family's concerns did not begin with the injuries alone. Approximately two weeks earlier, Wela had reportedly been moved to another room within the care facility. According to the family, many of her personal belongings were missing afterward, including clothing, blankets, plants, her Bible, reading glasses, dentures, and drawings created by her great-great-granddaughters. Those earlier concerns became even more significant after relatives saw the condition of her face.

For Wela's loved ones, the situation is about far more than investigating a single incident. They describe a grandmother whose life has been filled with family, faith, and treasured memories spanning nearly a century. Every remaining day together carries tremendous importance, making their search for clarity deeply personal as they work to ensure she receives the care, dignity, and comfort they believe she deserves during this stage of her life.

The family is now focused on moving Wela from the facility while the investigation continues. JoAnna said their ultimate goal is to bring her home, where paid caregivers and family members can share responsibility for her care. Because the investigation remains active and the family's concerns are allegations that have not been resolved, the facility has not been publicly identified. Officials have not announced findings regarding the reported incident.

As Wela approaches her 96th birthday, her family hopes the focus will shift from unanswered questions to her safety, comfort, and well-being. While investigators continue reviewing what happened, those who love her remain determined to surround her with familiar faces and compassionate care. Their greatest wish is that the years she has ahead will be spent in a place where she feels secure, cherished, and never alone.