Carter Overton, 5, looks through a magnetic building block in his bedroom on Sept. 28, 2023, in Sedalia, Mo. As a result of hydrocephalus, Carter has poor eyesight and often uses touch or holds items closely to see them properly.

Carter laughs while his grandmother, Oola Staten, 45, blows hair clippings off of his neck after a haircut at her salon, Oola’s Beauty Shop. Due to his mother’s drug use and other legal issues, Oola has been Carter’s legal guardian since 2019.

Carter hugs his mom, Carlese Overton, 26, while reading a bedtime story at the dining room table at home. Carlese has been living with her son and mother, who is Carter’s legal guardian, since she was released from jail in July 2023. Since her location is monitored using an ankle bracelet, Carlese has consistently spent more time with Carter over the last two months than she has previously in his life. “My mom told me if I do good for a whole year she’ll help me find a place, and she’ll give me custody of Carter,” Carlese said.

Carter pouts while his grandmother Oola pushes his cousin, Honesty, 3, on a swing. Carter has some behavioral issues that may be connected to his medical conditions, and he struggles with transitions throughout the day. “We don’t let nothing stress us,” Oola said. “He’s a kid, he’s just a kid.”

Carter is told to get back in line by his kindergarten teacher, Ashlea Snapp, at Heber Hunt Elementary School. “For kids like him who need more emotional support, changes are really hard,” said Ashlea.

Carter dances with friends during his kindergarten class at Heber Hunt Elementary School. “He is very crazy, but also very entertaining and loveable,” said Paige Overton, Carter’s aunt. “There’s never a dull moment when he’s around.”

Carter practices spelling his name using Wikki Stix as guides during occupational therapy at Heber Hunt Elementary School. Carter attends occupational therapy to help with motor skills and special education to help with behavioral issues. “When kids have behavioral delays, they’re often super intelligent,” Ashlea, Carter’s kindergarten teacher said. “He knows how to do all these amazing things, but pencil grip is hard for him.”

Carter reaches for the toy his mother Carlese is in line to purchase for him at JCPenney. Carlese promised to buy this toy for Carter as soon as she got paid by Tyson Foods Sedalia, where she has held a job since being released from jail. Though it cost nearly half of her weekly paycheck, she bought the toy to keep her word to Carter. “I don’t have to prove myself to nobody but my mom, Carter and my family,” she said. 

Carter watches videos on his grandmother’s phone in her bedroom, ignoring her calls for him to come eat breakfast in the kitchen. Carter’s family, who has collectively raised him, hopes that his mother will continue to be present in his life.