Darby Hodges was just 18 months old when he was found dead on June 27, 2010, in Kalispell. The autopsy listed the cause and manner of death as undetermined, though the medical examiner’s report noted two broken ribs and multiple contusions and abrasions on the boy’s head.

Darby’s sister, Kiera Pulaski, 4, died 12 weeks later in Republic, Mo., also of mysterious and undetermined causes.

A guardian said the girl lost her footing and fell in the bathroom, but her autopsy showed a large hematoma on her brain that the medical examiner noted didn’t appear to match the explanation of a fall.

The children’s grandmother, former Whitefish resident Cheryl Hodges (now of Ledger, Mont.), along with her son Tommy, the father of Darby and stepfather of Kiera, and other members of the Hodges family have spent four years pleading with law enforcement agencies to further investigate their allegations that both deaths were caused either by abuse or neglect by the children’s mother and then-boyfriend.

Authorities found no wrongdoing; the cause of death for both children remains unresolved.

The Hodges family’s quest for justice is the focus of a two-part episode on the “Dr. Phil” television show Monday and Tuesday, May 5-6. The shows air at 4 p.m. on KPAX Channel 8.

The show brings together the Hodges with Julia Savage Cummings, formerly of Whitefish, her current husband, Codey, and Codey’s mother, Cyndi. Cummings is the mother of Darby and Kiera.

Dr. Phil McGraw, who uses the platform of his popular show to tell compelling stories about people with a wide range of conflicts and problems, will delve into both sides of the tragic saga — the allegations of child abuse and Codey and Julia’s assertion that both children died three weeks after getting several immunizations.

The Hodges have known Julia’s family for years. Cheryl and her husband, Tom, coached Julia and her younger sister through the Whitefish girls softball program.

Tommy, who now lives in Kalispell, and Julia married in 2007. She had two children, including Kiera, from a previous marriage. Darby was born in November 2008. By March 2010 the couple had split up and Darby died three months later.

Darby and Kiera are buried side by side at Conrad Cemetery in Kalispell, where the Hodges family goes frequently to visit the graves and bring flowers.

It has been a heart-wrenching pursuit to find answers, Cheryl Hodges said, but through the years she has become an advocate for bringing attention to child abuse. She frequently posts news articles about child abuse and specific cases of children who have died from abuse on her Facebook page.

“Child abuse is ignored. No one wants to admit it exists,” she said. “I hope this [national exposure] will make child abuse prevention a ‘popular’ cause.”

In Republic, Mo., the investigation into Kiera’s death has been reactivated, with a reserve officer assigned to the case. In Kalispell the investigation into Darby’s death is still an open case.

Cheryl said she won’t stop her search for answers and justice for both of the children who died so mysteriously. Tommy is equally driven to resolve both cases. A tattoo on his leg is a tribute to Darby.

It reads: “Hush my son, be still and slumber. Jolly angels guard your bed.”

Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by email at lhintze@dailyinterlake.com.