by Bronx Father Rebuilds Life After Daughter’s Tragic Death, But Housing Barriers Remain
When NY1 first met Ronald Branch, he was in the middle of an unimaginable ordeal: his 6-year-old daughter, Jelayah Eason, had been brutally killed, and her body was still in the morgue. Branch was in court fighting not only for the right to bury her—but also to prove he was her father.
Soon after the autopsy, Jelayah’s mother, Lynija Eason Kumar, was charged with murder, manslaughter, and child endangerment. She has pleaded not guilty and is currently awaiting trial.
A Long Fight for Family and Healing
DNA testing confirmed Branch as Jelayah’s biological father. With that, he was able to lay his daughter to rest—and continue fighting for custody of his then 8-year-old son, Jazier.
“After I buried my daughter, I had to fight for full custody of my son,” Branch said. “I just got full custody maybe two months ago.”
Now 10 years old, Jazier is in therapy, working through the trauma of witnessing his sister’s death.
For nearly a year, Branch has been trying to move out of the Bronx housing complex where the tragedy occurred—hoping to leave behind the painful memories and give his son a fresh start.
A Home Out of Reach
Branch, who uses a wheelchair, received a Section 8 housing voucher that provides $2,640 per month for rent. But despite months of searching, he hasn’t been able to find a suitable, affordable, and wheelchair-accessible home in the city.
“I just want to start fresh and raise my son the best way I can,” Branch said. “We need a new beginning—somewhere we can heal.”
The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), which manages the voucher program, acknowledged the challenges people with disabilities face in a statement to NY1:
“Ensuring safe, affordable, and accessible housing for all New Yorkers is a top priority. We recognize that people with disabilities often face added barriers—from long waitlists to limited options in a city with just a 1.4% vacancy rate—and we’re committed to expanding accessible housing and uplifting voices to help shape real, lasting solutions in every neighborhood.”
More Than a Home — It’s a Path to Recovery
For Branch and Jazier, the search for housing isn’t just about four walls and a roof. It’s about recovery, stability, and finding peace after a devastating loss.
As Branch continues to push forward, he remains focused on one goal: building a better life for his son—one safe, accessible home at a time.
