In so many ways, he’s a typical boy.
But the couple raising him — stand-ins for his parents — are decidedly atypical. They are his great-grandparents, Marvin and Eliza Swain, 78 and 83 years old, respectively.
When Amiryon was 2, they were granted temporary custody of the boy after his mother, Amber Swain, was sentenced to life in prison for involuntary manslaughter and murder of Amiryon’s 6-month-old sister, Sarenity.
Amber Swain will be eligible for parole when Amiryon is 17.
Shortly after his mother went to prison, Amiryon’s father also was sent to prison on unrelated charges; Eliza Swain believes the sentence is 17 years.
The Swains are Amiryon’s maternal great-grandparents. His maternal grandfather is also in prison for a parole violation. The Swains hope he can come home in a few months.
Running down the list of relatives who could take in Amiryon, the Swains noted the rest of the family either lives out-of-county or are otherwise unable to care for him.
“We live with it,” Marvin Swain said. “You get used to it, prepared for it. The good Lord takes care of us.”
The Swains retired in the 1980s. They receive medical assistance for Amiryon and $259 a month in assistance.
“The only thing I’d be interested in is a little more help,” Marvin Swain said. “We ain’t going out of here begging, but we need help just like other people.”
But one thing the Swains aren’t short on is love for their great-grandson.
“(Amiryon) is a blessing, too,” Eliza Swain said.
“God placed him here in our hands,” her husband added.
Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0374 or boutten@coxohio.com.
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