Travolta Recounts Attempt to Save Son, Acknowledges He Was Autistic

By PopEater / Wire Services Posted Sep 23rd 2009 12:42PM

John Travolta described Wednesday how he desperately tried to save the life of his seizure-prone son and made perhaps his first public description of the teen as autistic as he testified in the trial of two people accused of trying to blackmail him.

With his wife, Kelly Preston, looking on inside the Nassau, Bahamas courtroom, Travolta said that he performed CPR on his son after a nanny alerted him the teen had fallen ill at a family vacation home on Grand Bahama island. Jett Travolta later died from a seizure.

"I ran downstairs with my wife to help my son," Travolta said.

Travolta also said -- apparently for the first time in public -- that 16-year-old Jett was autistic, confirming speculation that had swirled for years. The developmental disorder is frequently accompanied by seizures.

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Travolta in Bahamas

U.S. actor John Travolta and wife Kelly Preston, obscured, arrive to the court building in Nassau, Bahamas, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009. Travolta described the moments before his son's death in the Bahamas as he testified Wednesday against two people accused of trying to blackmail him with private information about the rescue effort. (AP Photo/Tim Aylen)

John Travolta Photos

U.S. actor John Travolta and wife Kelly Preston leave the court building in Nassau, Bahamas, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009. Travolta described the moments before his son's death in the Bahamas as he testified Wednesday against two people accused of trying to blackmail him with private information about the rescue effort. (AP Photo/Kris Ingraham)

(FILES)Actor John Travolta smiles at the premiere of "Bolt" in this November 17, 2008 file photo in Hollywood, California. John Travolta arrived in the Bahamas September 23, 2009 to testify at the trial of two local men accused of trying to extort 25 million dollars from him following the death earlier this year of his teenage son.The two-time Oscar-nominee, who starred in the hit films "Saturday Night Fever" and "Pulp Fiction," arrived here under tight security for the trial of ex-senator Pleasant Bridgewater and ambulance driver Tarino Lightbourne. AFP PHOTO/Gabriel BOUYS (Photo credit should read GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP/Getty Images

(FILES)Actor John Travolta delivers a speech during the ceremony to honor movie mogul Michael D. Eisner by a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Hollywood, California, in this April 25, 2008 file photo. Hollywood star John Travolta arrived in the Bahamas September 23, 2009 to testify at the trial of two local men accused of trying to extort 25 million dollars from him following the death earlier this year of his teenage son. The two-time Oscar-nominee, who starred in the hit films "Saturday Night Fever" and "Pulp Fiction," arrived here under tight security for the trial of ex-senator Pleasant Bridgewater and ambulance driver Tarino Lightbourne. AFP PHOTO GABRIEL BOUYS (Photo credit should read GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP/Getty Images

ASSOCIATED PRESS

This combo pictures shows Former Bahamas' Sen. Pleasant Bridgewater, right, and paramedic Tarino Lightbourne upon their arrival to court in Nassau, Monday, Sept. 21, 2009. A jury was selected Monday for a trial that could see US actor John Travolta take the stand against Bridgewater and Lightbourne, accused of trying to extort $25 million from the movie star following his son's death in the Bahamas. (AP Photo/Tim Aylen)

Bahamas' paramedic Tarino Lightbourne arrives to court in Nassau, Monday, Sept. 21, 2009. A jury was selected Monday for a trial that could see US actor John Travolta take the stand against Lightbourne and Bahamas' former Sen. Pleasant Bridgewater, accused of trying to extort $25 million from the movie star following his son's death in the Bahamas. (AP Photo/Tim Aylen)

Bahamas' paramedic Tarino Lightbourne speaks on his cell phone upon his arrival to court in Nassau, Monday, Sept. 21, 2009. A jury was selected Monday for a trial that could see US actor John Travolta take the stand against Lightbourne and former Bahamas' Sen. Pleasant Bridgewater, accused of trying to extort $25 million from the movie star following his son's death in the Bahamas. (AP Photo/Tim Aylen)

Former Bahamas' Sen. Pleasant Bridgewater, center, arrives to court in Nassau, Monday, Sept. 21, 2009. A jury was selected Monday for a trial that could see John Travolta take the stand against Bridgewater and paramedic Tarino Lightbourne, accused of trying to extort $25 million from the movie star following his son's death in the Bahamas. (AP Photo/Tim Aylen)

"He was autistic. He suffered from a seizure disorder," Travolta told the jury when asked about his son's condition. It had been widely believed that Jett was autistic, however the Travoltas had been cautious to never speak publicly about it.

Travolta is the star witness at the trial of two people -- paramedic Tarino Lightbourne and former Bahamian Sen. Pleasant Bridgewater -- who are accused of trying to extort $25 million from the movie star. Both defendants pleaded innocent to extortion charges at the trial that began Monday in this island chain off the Florida coast.

Travolta testified that he and Preston were awakened by a nanny around 10:15 a.m. on Jan. 2, the day of Jett's death. Travolta said when he went downstairs, another caretaker was doing chest compressions and he began administering breathing help.

The actor said Jett suffered seizures every five to 10 days. He said the seizures would last 45 seconds to a minute and Jett typically slept for 12 hours after each one.

The judge dismissed Travolta on Wednesday afternoon but said he would be called back later for further testimony.

Travolta, 55, has kept a low profile since Jett's death. He skipped promotional events this summer for his latest film, "The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3." He thanked his co-stars on his Web site for giving him time to grieve.

Travolta arrived at the Supreme Court building in an entourage of sport utility vehicles for his first appearance at the trial. Security was noticeably heavier than previous days, with Bahamian police officers surrounding the courthouse.

A friend of the actor's told PEOPLE that Travolta, 55, "had to dig deep" in order to return to the place of his son's death. "Going back was hard for him," says the friend. "The memories were too painful."

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The Jett Travolta Tragedy

John Travolta and Kelly Preston are mourning the loss of their son Jett, who died in the Bahamas in January.

Getty Images

Travolta Family Tragedy

Kelly Preston, seen here with her late son Jett and daughter Ella, was set to speak in October about dealing with the loss of her 16-year-old boy, but pulled out of the engagement.

Getty Images

The Travolta family is seen here on Sept. 12 in their first public appearance since their son Jett Travolta's death in January 2009.

Eric Charbonneau, Le Studio / Wireimage

In the April 10 issue of PEOPLE, Travolta and Preston appeared on the cover, but it was friends and family discussing how the Travolta's are coping with the tragic loss of their son.

PEOPLE Magazine

Jett Travolta died suddenly in January after falling in the bathroom and hitting his head. An autopsy concluded that Jett died of a seizure.

KCSPresse, Splash News

Jett, shown here in 2004 with his father, collapsed at the family's vacation home and was discovered by the Travolta's nanny.

ShowBizIreland / Getty Images

The entrance of John Travolta's vacation home is shown at West End, in Freeport, Grand Bahama, Bahamas.

Alan Diaz, AP

Jett was taken by ambulance to Rand Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on Jan 2.

Tim Aylen, AP

John Travolta's attorneys Michael Ossi, left, and Michael McDermott talk to reporters at West End, in Freeport, Grand Bahama, Bahamas, Saturday, Jan 3, 2009. Of the tragedy, Ossi spoke of Travolta's heartbreak. "He never dreamed of this – their relationship was so close. He always said 'I'm happy as long as my kids are happy.' He is heartbroken ... To bury your son is the worst thing you can ever do."

Alan Diaz, AP

The 16-year-old's death has affected many. Speaking of Travolta's relationship with his son, Bahamian parliament member Obie Wilchcombe told Larry King, "He always brought him along. There was a close affectionate relationship and lots of love. People in the old Bahama community today are in shock."

Tom O'Donnell, WireImage

Travolta and Preston had revealed that their son became sick when he was 2, and was diagnosed with Kawasaki disease, an illness that leads to inflammation of the blood vessels in young children.

Michael A. Mariant, AP

Police say the alleged scheme involved a document related to Jett's treatment. It would have released emergency responders from liability if the family refused an ambulance but police said the document did not come into play.

After waiting half an hour for the ambulance to arrive, Travolta testified, he signed the release because he initially wanted his son taken to the airport for a flight to Florida instead of a local hospital.

He did not address why Jett was ultimately taken to a hospital. But an employee of the resort community where the Travoltas have their Bahamas home, Nathan Moody, testified earlier that he looked into using two private planes to fly Jett out but neither was an option on such short notice.

A nine-person jury was expected to hear from a total of 14 witnesses.

Tags: jett travolta, jetttravolta, john travolta, JohnTravolta, kelly preston, KellyPreston

Comments

(247)

Wednesday 23 September

By Cindy

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How could anyone come on here and say bad things about the Travolta's? I have never seen or heard of them being rude or mean to anyone!!! They lost a son and it does not matter what was wrong with him, that was their baby. I hope that can get past all this and get on with their lives. They have never pushed their religion on anyone, so lets show some respect people!!!

By boo22

I agree! You said it all!

By Tom

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Travolta should go on trial for denying his son proper medical care. As a scientologist, his son was being treated using unconventional medical practices. Had his son received normal drug therapy, he wouldn't have had a seizure in the first place. As they say, religion is the root of all evil.

By Lisa

I absolutely agree with him. Call it neglect, call it abuse but travoltas knew the severity and the life threatening nature of the grand mal convulsions and they CHOSE to keep him unmedicated. How could they witness his horrible convulsions every week and not get him the best help all their money could buy. That's the crime.

By Cherie

Apparently you have no idea what you are talking about. My son suffers from sezuires. He is on two different medications. 11 pills a day. And guess what? He STILL has sezuires! Medications do not always control sezuires. You need tto get your head out of your butt before you comment on something you obviously have no experience with!

By jenna

Tom,
Not all seizures are 100% controlled by drugs. so for all you know he was on meds.....have some compassion.

By srmrkr

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

@Tom and Lisa- Jett was on Depakote for years due to his seizures, but was taken off when it stopped working and started causing liver damage. These facts were reported after his death. Get a grip on some facts before you start spouting off.

By Amy Deemer

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I feel very bad for them as well, it's tragic to lose a child and to have to deal with it in private, to have to have people trying to blackmail you and have to endure such a loss in a public manner is quite horrible.

That being said, I do have to wonder why all of a sudden, after years and years of denial, after Kelly Preston sat on talk show after talk show going on and on about the boy NOT being autistic but having Kawasaki syndrome...why are they now saying that's not right? Travolta has said time and time again as well that Jett was NOT autistic. Why come out and say it now? Perhaps the autopsy, if they even allowed the kid to have one...may have revealed it and now it can become public knowledge instead of their dirty little secret.

I remember reading an interview with Dan Marino and Doug Flutie, both professional football players who have children who are autistic and they were astonished that Travolta continued to deny that his son had it. This was back when Tom Cruise went all wonky on Oprah and the whole Today show thing took place and Scientology was under the mic. Marino said he'd met Jett and said that if there was a child who was severely autistic it was Jett Travolta and he thought that it was sad that due to Scientology the kid wasn't getting the proper treatment for his illness and that it was very sad to allow the boy to suffer without some of the medication that could help him.

It's cruel to say but his parents, in their blind devotion to a cult that denied such an illness and treatment of it in part did endanger his life and in the end could have cost him his life as well. If he had gotten those meds he'd needed, perhaps he'd not have had such severe seizures and not have died. I have said all along that they may very well have been responsible for what happened to the boy and the guilt and shame and pain of that must be torturing them both...and it probably should.

By wvmommee

You wonder why they suddenly have said he suffered from autism and not kawasaki syndrome fter those athletes gave the interview saying Jett obviously suffered from auntism?????? Maybe BECAUSE IT WAS NO ONES BUSINESS BUT THEIRS!!! They are allowed to have a private life, too!!!!!

By Sonya

It is a shame when personal medical issues become public domain! Get a life!!!!!!

By Roni

Idiot!!!!!!!!!

Thursday 24 September

By MARY

HERE WE GO AGAIN HAVING TO DEAL WITH IGNORANT PEOPLE. KAWASAKI IS A PART OF THE AUTISM DIAGNOSIS. WHICH REQUIRES DIFFERNT TREATMENTS, AND I AM CERTAIN MR. & MRS. TRAVOLTA DID EVERY THING THEY COULD TO SEE THAT JETT HAD THE BEST TREATMENTS THAT HIS DR. RECCOMENDED. MANY PEOPLE OF ALL DENOMINTAIONS USED PRAYER AND FAITH FOR THERE LOVED ONES. PLEAE STOP THIS NONSENSE OF THIER RELIGIOUS BELIEFS.

By norma

Seizures are very common in children with autism. My son was diagnosed at the age of 2yrs. We started him on anti-seizure meds. with terrible side effects. Seizures are kept somewhat under control. Lets not be so quick to bash and judge this family for how they handled their sons medical treatment. Their pain is no less than anyone of us who have lost a loved one. Our prayers are with the Travolta family and with all parents of children with physical and mental challenges.

By tea

I first knew something was wrong with Jett as a baby when Kelly did the interview saying he was sick because of toxins and how she redid her whole house to make him well and at the same time her and John "cured" her mother of fibromyalgia. Then pictures of Jett growing up and John was always carrying him and then no pictures of Jett, just Ella Bleu. They kept the truth hidden, why we'll never know if it was because of Scientology or the fact that they couldn't deal with the fact that their son was ill, a stigma on their perfect Hollywood image. After his death they finally admitted he had Kowasaki Syndrome knowing full well it was autism. He might have overcome autism, as did Jenny McCarthy's son, but he had no chance in hell of recovering from a disease that his parents would not even admit to. The truth shall set you free and may Jett rest in peace and the Travoltas find the strength to live with their parenting and know that in the end they did the best they could. It wouldn't surprise me if they divorced and quit Scientology because of this tragedy.

By roseybaby63

Do you actually know anything about autism? No two individuals with it are the same. It is expressed differently in each person. There are many different levels of autism. Why do so many people think that's there's medication of some kind to generally treat autism? Medication didn't do anything for my son. He's unable to work, but is happy and healthy and very loved. Sometimes autistic people can make huge strides...sometimes, you can't really do anything but love and accept them. Jenny Mccarthy's son may have made great improvements, but he's not cured. There are many autistic people who learn to lead pretty regular lives(on the outside), but this isn't the norm. How the hell can anyone outside of this family really know what they were doing or not doing for their son? And to those who say that seizures are common with autism, that's not true. There are those who have other physical problems as well, which would explain some of them having seizures and many others not experiencing any at all. Unless you have personal experience with autism, don't try to act like experts.

By Leona Hamilton

Jett was a beautiful young man and it is clearly obvious that his parents doted on him and loved him dearly. His physical frailties should be of no ones concern. I can hardly believe that someone would want to balckmail grieving parents. The persons involved are heartless and evil.

By Nonnie

I think it's just plain mean on the part of people who seem to be gloating over John Travolta's admission that his son was autistic. Where's the glory in that? Does it make you feel good? So his autism coincidentally began when he was recovering from Kawasaki's ... is it not reasonable that the family (and probably the physicians) considered it a late effect? I just don't get it. And I suspect that none of the comments with that tone have ever had a child with a serious, incurable illness.

By Julz

A DRAMA QUEEN!! I THINK YOU ARE THE DRAMA QUEEN TO EVER SAY THAT. One day something tragic will happen to you. It may not be the death of a child as I lost my daughter just 6hours after she was born and I only ever got to hear her cry nut never got to see her til her funeral. So CALL ME A DRAMA QUEEN NOW CAUSE IT HAPPENED TO ME!!! I can't wait til something tragic happens to you then you can call yourself a drama queen cause all you will do is cry and grieve for the rest of your life as the Travolta's, Myself, and any other person who has had something tragic happen in their life. YOUR INGNORANT!!!!!!!!!

By billy

People can vascillate and babble all they wish about this awful tragedy and poor young mans death....and trust me ... my heart aches and goes out to the family and the precious dear boy ....THE FACT IS ...SCIENTOLOGY AND THE INSANE MADMAN L.RON HUBBARD ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR HIS DEATH!!!!!!IF HE WERE UNDER PROPER MEDICAL CARE HE WOULD MOST CERTAINLY BE ALIVE TODAY!!!!
SCIENTOLOGY IS A CRAZY MIND CONTROLLING CULT.AND NEEDS TO BE IDENTIFIED AS SUCH!!!!

By nina

your an idoit

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