Kansas City, MO — For the first time, 18-year-old Coryion Franklin is opening up about the unimaginable abuse he suffered and how he’s finding the strength to rebuild his life.
Rescued just last year from what doctors called one of the worst child abuse cases they had ever seen, Franklin is now determined to turn his pain into inspiration for others.
Severe Abuse Left Him Fighting for His Life
Franklin was only 17 years old when he arrived at the hospital in May 2023, barely clinging to life. Medical staff discovered he was malnourished, hypothermic, and gravely injured.
His body told the story of years of torture:
- Cuts, bruises, and abrasions covering his skin.
- A severe ear infection that had nearly swollen shut.
- Missing teeth, a fractured spine, and fluid in his lungs.
- Second-degree burns on his forehead.
- Shoulder blades so damaged, doctors said the injuries resembled those seen in high-speed car crash victims.
“This is like doing 30 days in the hole,” Franklin recalled. “But I was doing two years in the hole.”
Manipulated and Forced Into Silence
Franklin revealed the horrifying details of how his abusers even manipulated his younger sister into participating.
“He had my sister scratch me with her nails,” he said.
If she refused, Franklin explained, she was threatened with a beating. After each assault, he was forced to clean up his own blood.
With no one to turn to, Franklin said he coped by talking to himself, holding on to the small hope that he would one day escape.
“You don’t have nobody you can call on, nobody to vent to… I was just sitting there talking to myself hoping one day I could get myself out.”
Arrests and Ongoing Trial
Police later arrested Penny Woods and James Griffin, the individuals who had custody of Franklin while his biological mother battled addiction. Both face multiple felony charges and are currently awaiting trial.
When asked what he would say to them, Franklin gave a heartbreaking response:
“I would ask them why – because there’s nothing really I can say – besides why?”
Recovery and Resilience
Franklin nearly died three separate times during his hospital stay. He spent 90 days at Children’s Mercy Hospital, much of it on a ventilator, before finally stabilizing.
Now, he proudly declares that “my scars are my trophies.”
He has returned to school, found work, and is determined to reclaim the life that was nearly stolen from him.
“To go back and see the pictures of me — like wow — and then look at me now it’s like crazy,” Franklin said in his interview with FOX4KC.
A Message of Strength
Despite the trauma, Franklin is speaking out in hopes that his story will inspire others who feel trapped and voiceless. His journey highlights both the horrors of abuse and the power of survival.
What are your thoughts on this powerful story of resilience? Share your views in the comments below.
