Little Nathaniel Burton spent months trying to warn the adults around him that he was in danger. At just seven years old, he seemed to sense his own fate. He asked for help again and again, but no real action was taken.

Nathaniel lived in constant fear of his mother, Sarah Safranek. He told both of his grandmothers that he didn’t feel safe at home. His words were simple, heartbreaking, and direct. He said his mother tried to stop him from breathing and confessed he believed she might kill him.

One grandmother recalled him saying, “Mama is going to kill me.” The other heard similar pleas, including stories of suffocation and even attempts to drown him. Social services visited the home multiple times, but no steps were taken to protect the boy from harm.

On February 18, 2021, Nathaniel’s worst fear became real. Prosecutors believe Safranek suffocated him in their home. He was taken to the hospital but died the next day. She later admitted guilt and received a 35-year prison sentence.

After the murder, investigators uncovered chilling internet searches made by Safranek. She had looked up information about killing a child, the cost of cremation, and how long investigations take. Her journal also revealed troubling thoughts about hurting her children.

Nathaniel’s story is a tragic reminder that when a child speaks up about fear or danger, every word must be taken seriously. Their voice may be the only chance they have.