(La Porte, IN) - Over the weekend there was a birthday bike ride, of sorts, in memory of Judah Morgan.

 

Friday would have been little Judah’s fifth birthday. Sadly, he didn’t live to celebrate it. Last October Judah’s battered body was found in the Union Township home of his biological parents. Mary Yoder and Alan Morgan now stand accused of torturing and beating him to death following his return to their custody from foster care.

 

Jenna Hullett and her husband, who raised Judah since he was four months old, are left to wonder what might have been and advocate for change.

 

On Saturday family and friends celebrated Judah’s birthday with a motorcycle ride and a party at the La Porte County Fairgrounds. Over twenty bikers came out, displaying “Judah’s Army” flags on the backs of their motorcycles. Many of the riders were from the Templar Order Motorcycle Club, as well as Sanctified Souls and Devoted Sons.

 

Hullett appreciated the support. “I’m happy that people did show up and show support,” she said following the event. “It means a lot to us and, in light of Judah’s murder, it does give us hope in humanity that people are still caring enough to support us in our cause.”

 

State Representative Jim Pressel was also at the party. He and State Senator Mike Bohacek have been helping the Hulletts press for legislative change. In March, Judah’s Law was passed downstate and goes into effect July 1.  The law gives unlicensed caregivers, often family members in foster situations like Judah’s, more input regarding a child’s best interests.

 

“My husband always called Judah a superhero,” Hullett said, “and now in death he is a hero for other children like him, and that’s our main goal, and hopefully prevent it from happening again.”

 

Proceeds from the motorcycle ride go to the Justice for Judah Foundation to help fund further efforts to reform the legal system for foster kids like Judah.

 

On Saturday the family made sure to include all the birthday party activities that Judah would have wanted. Children who attended got to enjoy a bounce house, face painting, games, and birthday cake. “I think he would have loved it, Hullett said. “I think we covered everything that Judah would have wanted—except candy. We forgot candy."

 

But the cool motorcycles more than made up for that.