What happens to a child when tragedy changes everything overnight?

In State Babies, Cleveland native Demetrius “Meach” Dallas takes readers back to his childhood and the experiences that shaped the man he would become.

Based on a true story, this deeply personal memoir recounts growing up in Cleveland during a difficult period marked by family struggles, neighborhood violence, loss, and uncertainty. At only ten years old, Demetrius experiences the devastating loss of his older brother, Jeff, after a police shooting—an event that forever changes his family and his understanding of the world around him.

Through a child's eyes, Dallas remembers the days surrounding his brother's death: the breaking news at school, the desperate journey to find his brother, the funeral, the overwhelming presence of the media, and the emotional aftermath at home. He also shares the moments of kindness, family love, friendship, faith, and responsibility that helped him keep moving forward.

From Saint Clair Avenue and East Cleveland to the streets and neighborhoods that raised him, State Babies offers an intimate look at childhood, grief, community, and survival.

This is more than a story about tragedy. It is a story about family, memory, resilience, and the lasting impact of the experiences we carry with us.

This is Demetrius “Meach” Dallas's story.