After Henrietta Lacks' death, her children were primarily cared for by various family members, notably her cousins. Unfortunately, the care provided by some of these relatives turned out to be abusive.
The Immediate Aftermath and Challenges
Henrietta Lacks passed away in 1951, leaving behind five young children:
- Lawrence Lacks
- Elsie Lacks (who had severe epilepsy and developmental disabilities, and was institutionalized)
- Sonny Lacks (David Lacks Jr.)
- Deborah Lacks (Deborah Lacks Pullum)
- Joe Lacks (later known as Zakariyya Bari Abdul Rahman)
Following their mother's untimely death, the children faced immense hardship. Their father, David Lacks, struggled to care for them alone while working long hours. Consequently, the responsibility for their upbringing fell, in part, to other family members.
Life Under Relatives' Care
While the specific arrangements varied over time, much of the children's care was provided by cousins. This period was marked by significant difficulties for the children. The environment some of them endured was harsh and included instances of abuse, contributing to their trauma and challenges in the years that followed.
The story of Henrietta Lacks' children highlights the profound impact her death had on her family, particularly the struggles they faced in securing a stable and safe upbringing without their mother. Elsie, who was institutionalized before her mother's death, also suffered greatly within the system. The experiences of all the Lacks children underscored the immense personal costs borne by the family behind the scientific advancements made possible by Henrietta's cells.
For more information on the Lacks family's story and the challenges they faced, you can explore resources like the Johns Hopkins Medicine article on Henrietta Lacks.
