ROANOKE, Va. – Vinton Voice — Samantha Grimes and her husband have spent the past several weeks focused on one thing: their newborn son.

Like many parents with a child in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), the couple has been making daily trips to Roanoke from outside the area, traveling more than an hour each way to spend as much time as possible with their baby as he receives specialized medical care.

But on the evening of May 28, what should have been another trip centered around their son’s recovery turned into a frightening and costly experience that has left the family searching for answers.

According to Grimes, she and her husband were driving along McClanahan Street SW near River’s Edge South Sports Complex when a group of approximately six to eight teenage or young adult males allegedly turned toward their vehicle and began throwing objects at it.

The family says the group pelted their vehicle with frozen water balloons, water bottles, rocks, and other objects as they drove by.

The barrage reportedly struck the hood, doors, windows, and side mirror of the vehicle.

While the glass was not shattered, Grimes says the attack left dents in the doors and hood and knocked one of the side mirrors out of its casing.

“We have enough on our plates with our personal life and we don’t need anymore to add to it,” Grimes wrote in a public appeal for information following the incident.

According to Grimes, she and her husband immediately stopped their vehicle after the attack. When they did, the group allegedly fled on foot toward 23rd Street SW, splitting into multiple directions.

Some reportedly ran toward Rosalind Avenue SW while others fled toward Wycliffe Avenue SW.

As they ran away, Grimes says several members of the group shouted profanities and taunts.

A Family Already Facing Extraordinary Challenges

For many readers, the vehicle damage may seem like the primary story.

But for Samantha Grimes and her husband, the larger issue is the timing.

The couple is already navigating one of the most emotionally draining experiences a parent can face — having a newborn child remain hospitalized in the NICU.

According to Grimes, neither she nor her husband are local to Roanoke. Since their son’s birth, they have made the lengthy drive back and forth every day to be by his side.

Parents with children in neonatal intensive care often face significant emotional stress, interrupted sleep, financial pressures, missed work, and uncertainty about their child’s condition. Every hour spent away from the hospital can feel precious.

The attack not only caused damage to the family’s vehicle but also consumed time and attention that they say should have been spent focusing on their son.

Instead of spending their evening at the hospital, the couple found themselves speaking with police, documenting vehicle damage, and attempting to process what had just occurred.

Damage Continues to Mount

As the family has had time to inspect the vehicle, Grimes says the extent of the damage has become increasingly apparent.

What initially appeared to be dents and minor damage has turned into a costly repair situation for a family already making daily trips to Roanoke to visit their newborn son.

“Anything to try to reconcile the situation because this is not some small damage,” Grimes said. “Our hood is ruined. We’ve already had to replace the side mirror just so we could be able to continue to drive it to and from Roanoke.”

According to Grimes, the couple could not afford to leave the vehicle unusable because it remains their primary means of transportation to visit their son in the hospital.

She estimates the total repair costs will likely exceed $500 by the time the hood, body damage, and other repairs are completed.

For many families, an unexpected repair bill is an inconvenience. For parents already balancing travel expenses, hospital visits, missed work, and the emotional strain of having a child in intensive care, it can become another significant burden.

Grimes says she hopes those responsible — or their parents — will come forward and help make the situation right.

The family says they are not seeking revenge, but accountability and restitution for the damage caused.

“We just want our vehicle repaired and the people responsible held accountable,” Grimes said.

Police Investigation Underway

Grimes says law enforcement was contacted immediately following the incident and a report was filed.

According to the family, they were able to get a clear look at many of the individuals involved and believe they could identify them if located.

The suspects were described as males approximately 16 to 19 years old with athletic builds. Some reportedly wore ball shorts and long-sleeve shirts, while others were seen wearing hoodies and shorts.

The family stated that some of the individuals appeared to be white males while others appeared Hispanic or mixed race.

No arrests have been publicly announced at this time.

Other Residents Report Similar Incidents

Following Grimes’ social media post, other local residents began sharing stories of similar encounters in the area.

One commenter reported that approximately two to three months ago, a group of teenagers riding in the back of a pickup truck allegedly threw eggs at their vehicle while traveling on the same road.

According to the resident, the group attempted to flee after the incident, prompting the victims to contact police.

Another community member who said they previously lived in the area claimed groups of teenagers frequently gather along Crystal Spring Avenue SW during evening hours, particularly between Thursday and Saturday nights. According to the resident, the group often consisted primarily of teenage boys, occasionally accompanied by one or two girls, and was regularly observed riding bicycles and scooters in the roadway, removing signs from the ground, and causing disturbances in the neighborhood.

The resident suggested the group may live in the area beyond the nearby fire station. These claims have not been independently verified by Vinton Voice.

While these accounts remain unverified, they have prompted discussion among residents about whether the attack on the Grimes family could be part of a broader pattern of reckless behavior occurring in the area.

Community Support Begins Pouring In

Since sharing her story publicly, Grimes has received support from dozens of local residents.

Many expressed sympathy for the family and concern for their infant son, while others encouraged nearby homeowners and businesses to review security camera footage that could help identify those responsible.

Several commenters also voiced frustration that a family already dealing with the stress of a child in intensive care would become the target of what many described as a senseless act of vandalism.

For Samantha Grimes and her husband, however, the goal remains straightforward.

They say they are not looking for revenge.

They simply want accountability, repairs to their vehicle, and the opportunity to focus their energy where it belongs — supporting their newborn son as he continues his fight in the NICU.

Anyone with information regarding the incident is encouraged to contact local law enforcement.

As investigators continue their work, the Grimes family hopes someone in the community recognizes those responsible and comes forward so they can begin putting this chapter behind them and return their full attention to the child waiting for them at the hospital.

Anyone with information regarding the incident, including potential surveillance footage, witness accounts, or information that may help identify the individuals involved, is encouraged to contact the Roanoke City Police Department at 540-344-8500. Tips may help investigators identify those responsible and provide answers to a family already facing the challenges of having a newborn child in the NICU.