ANGEL WITH A HALO PARENTS CHERISH SON'S RETURN HOME.

Byline: Amy Raisin Staff Writer

CANYON COUNTRY - With February rapidly approaching, the Mitchells still have their Christmas tree in the living room, crammed at its base with soft, colorful toys.

They celebrated the holiday earlier this week, cherishing the presence of their 14-month-old son, Wyatt, who broke his neck in a head-on car crash three days before Dec. 25.

The rosy-cheeked, blue-eyed toddler now carries the weight of what his parents call a halo - a large apparatus, fixed to his small skull with 10 special pins. It holds his head and neck in place while two of his vertebrae, hopefully, fuse together.

His mother, Dena, a kindergarten teacher at Sulphur Springs School, and her husband, George, kept vigil at Wyatt's side through 19 days in intensive care.

``The support from people we work with has been incredible,'' said the 31-year-old mother. ``He's much more scared of strangers now, though. I think it's because of all the doctors and nurses poking him. It's been scary for him.''

Determined to get over her first-time-mother nervousness, Dena Mitchell left Wyatt with her sister and brother-in-law the Saturday before Christmas so she could do some shopping.

About 2 p.m., while her sister took the baby to see his grandmother, their car was struck head-on after a 19-year-old man fell asleep at the wheel and lost control of his car on Pearblossom Highway in the Antelope Valley.

``I was in the parking lot at the mall and I knew something was wrong,'' Dena Mitchell said. ``I left to go home and called my mom.''

She stays home with her son now, fearful to leave him alone even to take a shower because, if he fell, the pins in his skull could injure his brain.

But through the ordeal, the couple has found strength and compassion from kind-hearted friends and co-workers.

Every Tuesday and Thursday night, a mother of a student from Dena Mitchell's class brings a prepared meal to their home.

Some of the kids from her class have also donated swatches from their own pajamas and blankets, which one of the mothers fashioned into a quilt for Wyatt.

George Mitchell, a stationary engineer for Los Angeles County, said he is impressed by his son's adaptability.

``I think he knows (the halo) is there, but being so young, I think he just adapts to it,'' he said. ``He's a really good boy. He's just started talking again.''

After the collision, doctors inserted tubes in Wyatt's throat and nasal passages, as well as intravenous drips and a catheter. The tube in his trachea prevented the baby from audibly crying.

``He won't be able to play football when he's older. And I don't just mean in high school. Even just around the neighborhood, in the yard,'' Dena Mitchell said. ``His injury will be too sensitive for that.''

The Mitchells plan to alter their work schedules for as long as needed to care for Wyatt. If needed, some teachers in the Sulphur Springs School District have offered to donate their sick days so Dena Mitchell will still draw a paycheck while she tends to her son.

To help the couple pay for medical bills and other expenses, friends have set up a fund for Wyatt at Valencia Bank and Trust. Donations may be made to any of the three branches in the name of Dena and George Mitchell, in trust for Wyatt Mitchell.

CAPTION(S):

3 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Dena Mitchell of Canyon Country feeds her 14-month-old son, Wyatt, who is recovering from a broken neck.

(2 -- color) George and Dena Mitchell take turns playing with their son Wyatt, who wears a brace keeping his head and neck stable while recovering from car crash injuries.

(3) Mom Dena Mitchell cleans one of the screws holding 14-month-old Wyatt's brace in place.

Shaun Dyer/Special to the Daily News