Hailey Jones

Hailey Parks (nee Jones) is a fictional character on soap opera Life of Today. She is portray by Shelby Branch who first appeared on the episode November 15, 1993. Much of her history involves her being pregnant, kidnapped, and her relationship with Austin Parks.

Casting
Shelby Branch debut the role on November 15, 1993, as young pregnant teenager. In January 1996, after two years on contract, Branch was demoted to recurring status and only sporadic appearances in 1996. She eventually return to the soap  January 24, 1997 on a contract basis.

Storylines
Hailey Jones comes to town pregnant as a young teenager, but she shortly miscarriage. She befriends with Riley, Promise, Jada, and other residents. One night see meets Austin Parks, Allen Parks brother, and has a one night stand with him, she is eventually becomes pregnant with his child. They both form a relationship as friends to help raise their baby with both their parents in their life. Her dad eventually comes to town and she quickly shuns him out. Her brother Jerome Jones (Jake Short) comes to town and he ultimately reveals to her that he is gay and she is the only person that knows. Austin wants Hailey to come clean about her past and she tells him its so hard. Hailey finally tells Austin that her biological parents were killed and her brother and her were placed in witness protection program.

Hailey eventually starts falling for Austin, but the two decided to remain friends. On March 22, 1996, Hailey delivers a baby girl name Jasmine Parks, during a home birth. Austin has to leave town to visit his brother, Austin and Kimberly. Later, that night Hailey was left home alone with the baby, she hears a knock on her door, who is the Canon City Stalker, he attacks her with a stick, leaving her unconscious for the night. That next morning she discovers the baby is missing. Hailey sits down one day and tries to figure out what happen that night, she remembers the stalker's face and goes directly to Nina's house, but they are both eventually kidnapped. Nina, Hailey, and Jada re held captive at the Old Abandon Circus. Still being held captive, they are eventually found June 11th, Hailey gets her baby back, later that night, Eddie is chased off the cliff and is presumed dead. Hailey doesn't feel safe, so she decides to stay with Austin for a while, along with the baby.