At first, Jay will be raised alone by her biological mother, Sophie James, since her father will not want anything to do with either of them. However, when Jay is 3, Sophie will die in a car crash, and the child will be put up for adoption. She will be adopted by Simon Petrelli. About a month later, she will be given abilities by her uncle Monty, after he learns that she is jealous of her adoptive siblings for having abilities.