NewsBite

Teen parents Jayden Lavender and Jenifer Morrison targeted by ‘firebomb’

TEEN dad Jayden Lavender says his girlfriend Jenifer has been in tears since the hospital confirmed their daughter had been discharged.

Police appeal for information on the whereabouts of missing teen parents

THE teen parents who fled hospital with their newborn daughter and camped overnight in bushland say they are the victims of arson.

Fourteen-year-old Jayden Lavender, who spent 16 hours on the run with his 15-year-old fiancee Jenifer Morrison and their “bubba” Aria, said the arson attack compounded the pair’s heartbreak at the revelation that the newborn has been discharged from hospital.

Jayden said they don’t know where Aria is since the trio were found after a major police search last Thursday.

Teen dad 14-year-old Jayden Lavender says his Western Sydney home was targeted. Picture: Simon Bullard
Teen dad 14-year-old Jayden Lavender says his Western Sydney home was targeted. Picture: Simon Bullard
The Dharruk home that was the target of an attempted firebombing. Picture: Simon Bullard
The Dharruk home that was the target of an attempted firebombing. Picture: Simon Bullard

Nepean Hospital has confirmed that Aria was discharged from hospital in “good health” on Friday following a thorough health check.

“I just want to know if my daughter is OK, I’m her father, it’s crushed me now knowing she is not at the hospital,” Jayden said.

A long scorch mark in the grass outside the Western Sydney house. Picture: Simon Bullard
A long scorch mark in the grass outside the Western Sydney house. Picture: Simon Bullard

“Jenny has been crying all day.”

Jayden said he had been awake when the fire was lit by an unknown arsonist at their Mt Druitt home around 12am on Friday because he had been “crying all night”.

Teen parents Jayden Lavender and Jenifer Morrison.
Teen parents Jayden Lavender and Jenifer Morrison.

“Somebody came and lit fire to our house, I was in the lounge room ... I saw somebody on the ground looking through my door, so I went to the window and they started running with the petrol,” he said. “They poured the petrol and then they lit it and it went bang, everything went up.

“There were flames coming underneath the door, it was a petrol fire and I’m putting it out with water.”

Nepean Hospital confirmed Aria was discharged from hospital in “good health” on Friday Picture: Facebook
Nepean Hospital confirmed Aria was discharged from hospital in “good health” on Friday Picture: Facebook
The couple with their newborn after being found by police. Picture: Justin Sanson
The couple with their newborn after being found by police. Picture: Justin Sanson

The Daily Telegraph witnessed black scorch marks on the home’s front door as well as burnt grass.

Jayden said while he and Jenny appreciated all the kind words they had received from some community members, there were also others who had also threatened him.

“I appreciate what people are doing for us, but there are those people who are saying if they see me on the streets they say they are going to bash me,” he said.

Jenifer and Jayden got engaged after finding out they were expecting a child last Father’s Day, however they have not been able to marry because they are under 16.

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/national/teen-parents-jayden-lavender-and-jenifer-morrison-targeted-by-firebomb/news-story/29ac0683e662779659595f5550328cee