To Family's Despair, Baby Can't Cry

(Oct. 29) -- For most parents, the sound of a crying newborn means another night of exhaustion. But an Alabama couple is desperate to hear that very sound, and has actually moved to a new town in hopes of eliciting some full-bodied wailing from their baby, an ABC television station reported.

Jody Woods and Joshua Sutterfield of Cullman, Ala., were delighted when their son was born at a healthy 7 pounds on Oct. 19. However, as WJSU in Birmingham reported, Devon's vocal cords do not function properly -- and have left him unable to cry.

"Instead of vibrating and doing what they're supposed to, they cut off [the] circulation to his airway," Sutterfield told the ABC station.

According to the baby's parents, Devon turns blue when tries to cry. The only sounds that come out are muted squeaks, they said.

"I feel helpless because I can't help him," Woods told ABC 33/40. "[He's] my baby and I can't do nothing."

In hopes of finding better treatment for Devon, the family has moved to Birmingham, where he is being treated at Children's Hospital, the station said. Unfortunately, recent tests have also indicated problems with Devon's bladder and white blood cells.

Due to financial pressures, the family is living at Ronald McDonald House, which charges reduced rates for guests with sick children.

"The fear of losing your child -- you know, it's real hard when you think about those things," Sutterfield told ABC. "It tends to break you down."

"We're stuck in between good and bad times," he added, "hoping we can just find that road to the good side."