NASHVILLE, TN (WSMV) -
A story that was so horrifying and unfair it prompted people from all across the country to help.
Donna Keel, a 69-year-old retired nurse and master quilter took in her nephew, Jody Jones, when he was released from prison. She said she did it for her dead sister, but the consequences turned tragic.
Jones is accused of beating her up, but she was the one arrested and banned from her own home. Then, while she was held by a false order of protection, things got worse.
Keel's attorney, Paul Housch, sprung to action, moving to dissolve the order of protection, dismiss charges and notified Jones' parole officer he had violated parole.
But before all this could get through the system, Keel's home burned down. Jones never called 911.
Keel was now homeless and charged with felony assault, which she says was fabricated by Jones and believed to be true by Metro police.
Since this story was first reported in July, all charges have been dropped against Keel and Jones is in jail for a parole violation.
"It was like a ton had been lifted from my shoulders," said Keel.
Since all this happened, a traumatized Keel has been surrounded by love and support.
"My quilting friends have just been like family to me," said Keel.
She has even started a new quilt she calls a quilt of recovery. Despite the pain, Keel said she doesn't regret her decision to help her relative.
"I would take that chance again because I told him that if he made this time, and became a productive citizen, I wanted to be there to share it with him. But if he didn't make it, then it was up to him," said Keel.
Keel has felt the mark of human kindness. A woman from California saw her story and mailed her a brand new Singer sewing machine. That gave her the hope to start quilting again.
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