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BAKER Robert

Born Robert Jasper Baker.

Date of birth : January 16, 1918, Venice, California.

Date of death : August 16, 1933, Pineville, Kentucky.


Pictures -,-


His parents were Gladys Baker and John Baker.
He was the brother of Berniece Miracle, and Norma Jeane's half-sister, without having met her.

As a child, he had an accident; during the 4th of July celebrations, he put a firecracker into a bottle of soda which exploded right on his face; he lost his right eye.

1921 : aged 3 and a half, he had another accident. He was travelling to Kentucky with his parents for the holidays. They drove in a convertible and while his parents were arguing, he fell from the car. He hurt his hip and limped for the rest of his short life.

May 11, 1923 : the divorce of his parents was pronounced and Gladys obtained her children's custody

().


One day Jasper came and picked the children up for a week-end custody; he brought them to Flat Lick, Kentucky, at his own mother's home, thinking the children would be better raised by his mother. So he settled there, wanting to start a more quiet life.
Robert was hospitalized in Louisville because he still limped with his injured leg. During his stay at the hospital, Gladys arrived, furious in Flat Lick and wanted her children back. In vain, she asked the help from Myrtle, one of Jasper's sisters. But they kept Berniece hidden and asked Gladys not to go to the Louisville's hospital to see her little boy. Anyway she settled in Louisville, and worked as a housekeeper, waiting for Robert to be in a better condition.

Tired of waiting and not having be able to see her children, Gladys then went back to Los Angeles.

Jasper regularly went to Louisville where his son Robert was hospitalized. The doctors had diagnosed a bone tuberculosis. After 2 years, his condition improved, but he still limped. He had to continue his treatment. He alternated the stays between the Harlan hospital (closer) and the Louisville's one.

The family settled in the town of Middlesboro and Robert was brought back home. But his condition worsened

and his kidneys couldn't handle the disease.

He died on August 16, 1933, aged 15 (-).
He was burried the next day at the Flat Lick cemetery.

    

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