7-month-old found dead in foster home - FOX19.com and FOX19 News, weather, traffic, and sports for Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky |
NORTH COLLEGE HILL, OH (FOX19) - Job and Family Services and the North College Hill Police Department are investigating the death of a 7-month-old foster child.
Brian Gregg, a spokesman with Job and Family Services tells FOX19 the Child, Ty'ionna Barfield, died in her foster home on February 18th. Police were called to the foster home just before 10 p.m. on the 18th after a report that Ty'ionna was not breathing. An officer performed CPR on the child until emergency workers got there and took over. The infant died in the home.
Isabella Brooke Knightly and Austin Gamez-Knightly
In Memory of my Loving Husband, William F. Knightly Jr. Murdered by ILLEGAL Palliative Care at a Nashua, NH Hospital
Friday, February 25, 2011
Thursday, February 24, 2011
How Child Protection Services Buys and Sells Our Children
How Child Protection Services Buys and Sells Our Children
February 24, 2011yvonnemason
This article just came over my alerts for the Palm Beach Post. This office needs to be investigated from the top down. The corruption, lies, falisfing of records and cover ups is the norm in all offices all over the country. This is the tip of the iceberg. It is time to stop the murder of our children. Ms.Fleary should be criminally charged for her part in the death of Nubia and the near death of Victor. It is past time to take back our children
By Ana M. Valdes Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Updated: 5:14 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 24, 2011
Posted: 5:08 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 24, 2011
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The state child abuse investigator currently under fire for not following up on an allegation that twins Victor and Nubia Barahona were being tied and confined to a bathroom by their adoptive parents was given a final notice for a similar mishandling of a case last year, according to state Department of Children and Families documents released this afternoon.
Andrea Fleary, who was placed under paid administrative leave Feb. 17, two days after the twins were found in West Palm Beach – Nubia’s dead body in the back of the truck and Victor seizing and covered in toxic chemicals – was given a final conseling notice Feb. 15 of last year, for failing to find a home for a child removed from his or her biological family by the 24 hour deadline established by DCF.
“Your neglect placed this child at risk of additional harm,” wrote Kevin Ramos, a DCF child protective investigator supervisor. “Further, you interviewed the child without law enforcement present. Even more disturbing, you failed to document notification with the Child Protection Team.”
Fleary refused to sign the notice, according to DCF documents.
Last year’s reprimand, however, was not the first time Fleary was called out by the agency for her performance.
In 2003, the department issued her first final counseling notice for taking 11 days to interview the person who reported the abuse of six children. The notice also said Fleary failed to find shelter for one of the children, despite a knowing that the child was living with the mother even though a court order denied the mother custody. Some of the children were also allowed to visit with their maternal grandmother without proper authorization.
In 1992, Fleary was also given a written reprimand for punching a colleague in the face.
DCF officials are now looking into whether Andrea Fleary did enough to find the 10-year-old Barahona twins before Nubia was found dead in a truck owned by her adoptive father, Jorge Barahona, and Victor was hospitalized with life-threatening burns.
The 48-year-old investigator gave a brief explanation about how she handled the case at a court hearing two days after the twins were found in Palm Beach County.
She said she had visited the Barahona home in western Miami-Dade County Feb. 10, when the abuse allegation was reported to DCF’s abuse hotline.
After Flearly failed to locate the twins or their father, she visited the home a second time the next day, but she did not find the children again. When the judge asked why she had not tried to locate other relatives or contact the reporter of the abuse, Fleary said it was 9:30 p.m. on a Friday night, and that she was not allowed to work weekends.
Since then, DCF is investigating Fleary’s actions. Officials will not comment on whether Fleary violated any steps in the abuse investigation at the Barahona home.
ana_valdes@pbpost.com
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/barahona-child-abuse-investigator-mishandled-previous-cases-1279186.html?showComments=true&postingId=1279398#commentsList
Categories: Murdered Children at the Hands of Foster Parents and CPSTags: Abuse by CPS, abuse in florida dcf, andrea fleary, corruption by florida dcf, florida dcf, greed by florida dcf, murder by florida dcf, yvonne mason
February 24, 2011yvonnemason
This article just came over my alerts for the Palm Beach Post. This office needs to be investigated from the top down. The corruption, lies, falisfing of records and cover ups is the norm in all offices all over the country. This is the tip of the iceberg. It is time to stop the murder of our children. Ms.Fleary should be criminally charged for her part in the death of Nubia and the near death of Victor. It is past time to take back our children
By Ana M. Valdes Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Updated: 5:14 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 24, 2011
Posted: 5:08 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 24, 2011
Post a Comment E-mail Print ShareLarger Type Small Type
The state child abuse investigator currently under fire for not following up on an allegation that twins Victor and Nubia Barahona were being tied and confined to a bathroom by their adoptive parents was given a final notice for a similar mishandling of a case last year, according to state Department of Children and Families documents released this afternoon.
Andrea Fleary, who was placed under paid administrative leave Feb. 17, two days after the twins were found in West Palm Beach – Nubia’s dead body in the back of the truck and Victor seizing and covered in toxic chemicals – was given a final conseling notice Feb. 15 of last year, for failing to find a home for a child removed from his or her biological family by the 24 hour deadline established by DCF.
“Your neglect placed this child at risk of additional harm,” wrote Kevin Ramos, a DCF child protective investigator supervisor. “Further, you interviewed the child without law enforcement present. Even more disturbing, you failed to document notification with the Child Protection Team.”
Fleary refused to sign the notice, according to DCF documents.
Last year’s reprimand, however, was not the first time Fleary was called out by the agency for her performance.
In 2003, the department issued her first final counseling notice for taking 11 days to interview the person who reported the abuse of six children. The notice also said Fleary failed to find shelter for one of the children, despite a knowing that the child was living with the mother even though a court order denied the mother custody. Some of the children were also allowed to visit with their maternal grandmother without proper authorization.
In 1992, Fleary was also given a written reprimand for punching a colleague in the face.
DCF officials are now looking into whether Andrea Fleary did enough to find the 10-year-old Barahona twins before Nubia was found dead in a truck owned by her adoptive father, Jorge Barahona, and Victor was hospitalized with life-threatening burns.
The 48-year-old investigator gave a brief explanation about how she handled the case at a court hearing two days after the twins were found in Palm Beach County.
She said she had visited the Barahona home in western Miami-Dade County Feb. 10, when the abuse allegation was reported to DCF’s abuse hotline.
After Flearly failed to locate the twins or their father, she visited the home a second time the next day, but she did not find the children again. When the judge asked why she had not tried to locate other relatives or contact the reporter of the abuse, Fleary said it was 9:30 p.m. on a Friday night, and that she was not allowed to work weekends.
Since then, DCF is investigating Fleary’s actions. Officials will not comment on whether Fleary violated any steps in the abuse investigation at the Barahona home.
ana_valdes@pbpost.com
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/barahona-child-abuse-investigator-mishandled-previous-cases-1279186.html?showComments=true&postingId=1279398#commentsList
Categories: Murdered Children at the Hands of Foster Parents and CPSTags: Abuse by CPS, abuse in florida dcf, andrea fleary, corruption by florida dcf, florida dcf, greed by florida dcf, murder by florida dcf, yvonne mason
CPS Adoptions: Were Relatives Considered First?
CPS Adoptions: Were Relatives Considered First?
RANDY WALLACE
Investigative Reporter
HOUSTON - She was only 19 when Amber Chenault gave birth to her daughter.
"She called her Mommy every time she saw her," said Sophia Peters, Amber's grandmother.
But now the baby calls someone else mommy and it's tearing Amber apart.
"I cry myself to sleep every night," Amber said. "I've got her pictures all over my wall at home. She's my every thing."
When she was just a few months old, the baby was taken into the custody of Child Protective Services. The reasons, CPS said, include her father's lengthy criminal history, unsafe living conditions and Amber's lack of stability.
Amber's family members agree CPS needed to get involved.
"According to the situation they were in, it was necessary," Amber's aunt Julia Kaptchinski said.
CPS got the baby's father to sign away his parental rights, but not Amber.
"I was thinking maybe, just maybe, she just might come home," Amber said.
"CPS is there for reunification first and foremost," Kaptchinski said. "We were told that a number of times and that was another reason we felt everything was going really well."
But things couldn't have gone more wrong, the family said.
"I was one of those people who believed CPS was there to help, and they’re not," Susan Peters, Amber's mother, said.
After a year, CPS said it saw no changes in Amber's life so the agency moved to have her parental rights terminated. Her baby was later adopted by foster parents.
"I do believe she should have been adopted into the family," Amber said. "There was no reason for her to be adopted outside of the family."
"It was a shock," Amber's mother said.
"They just took a great-grandbaby away from me and gave it to strangers for someone else and it hurts," Amber's grandmother said.
They keep telling us she's in a good foster home and she's fine, but that's a foster home. We're her family," Tina Porter said.
Just like Amber's family, Tina and Brian Porter said CPS ignored state law when it allowed their great niece to be adopted by foster parents instead of blood relatives.
"I would never in my life believe, in this country, this kind of behavior is allowed," Brian Porter said.
Tina's niece, the baby's mother, is mentally disabled. Relatives describe her mental capacity as that of a 12-year-old.
"Being mentally disabled doesn't mean you don't have feelings," Tina Porter said. "She does love her children and wanted her children to remain with family versus foster care."
The Porters, who've raised six kids are in the process of adopting their niece's little boy and planned on adopting his baby sister. They've even got a room waiting for her.
"And I walk by that room everyday and we're still waiting. It's not fair," Tina Porter said.
According to the couple's attorney CPS talked Tina's niece into signing away her parental rights with no attorney present.
"She definitely has mental disabilities that were recognized in CPS's own paperwork and no precautions were taken," the Porters’ attorney Don Robinowitz said. "Somebody should have made sure that she was competent to make a decision of this magnitude."
What’s more, the couple accuses CPS of stringing them along for months, making them think they would be adopting the baby girl.
"I trusted em,” Tina Porter said. "I trusted everyone I spoke to."
Then, Tina said she got a call from CPS telling her in 24 hours the baby would be adopted by her foster parents.
"Unbelievable," Tina said. "I still can't believe it. How could this be allowed to happen?"
Amber's aunt Denise Arsement was more than willing to adopt Amber's baby girl.
"In a heartbeat," Arsement said. "And I told them that in court, I told them I would take her."
Out of more than half a dozen relatives CPS knew would take the baby, none were contacted by the state agency, Arsement said.
Even though CPS's own policy states relatives are always considered first, the number of CPS adoptions statewide to relatives is less than 50 percent. In fact, according to the state agency's own figures, in 2008, 61 percent of CPS adoptions were non-relative adoptions. In 2009 it was 57 percent and last year 55 percent of all CPS adoptions were non-relative adoptions.
“CPS knew what they were doing to tell me enough stories to keep stringing me along," Tina Porter said.
The Porters have filed suit and hope a court battle will undo the foster parent adoption so they can adopt their niece's baby girl.
Meanwhile Amber's family has an appeal on file and prays somehow her baby will someday be part of their family.
"I don't go a day without thinking about what she might be doing or where she's at," Amber said.
CPS told FOX 26 Investigates, they originally placed Amber's baby with two different relatives, but at the request of those relatives the child was removed because they were no longer able to care for her.
The state agency said it didn't consider any other relatives because it was ordered by the court to leave the baby with the foster parents who adopted her.
As for the Porters, CPS declined comment due to pending court proceedings.
"Something needs to be changed," Amber's aunt Denise said. "This just can't keep happening to family after family."
CPS Adoptions: Were Relatives Considered First?: MyFoxHOUSTON.com
RANDY WALLACE
Investigative Reporter
HOUSTON - She was only 19 when Amber Chenault gave birth to her daughter.
"She called her Mommy every time she saw her," said Sophia Peters, Amber's grandmother.
But now the baby calls someone else mommy and it's tearing Amber apart.
"I cry myself to sleep every night," Amber said. "I've got her pictures all over my wall at home. She's my every thing."
When she was just a few months old, the baby was taken into the custody of Child Protective Services. The reasons, CPS said, include her father's lengthy criminal history, unsafe living conditions and Amber's lack of stability.
Amber's family members agree CPS needed to get involved.
"According to the situation they were in, it was necessary," Amber's aunt Julia Kaptchinski said.
CPS got the baby's father to sign away his parental rights, but not Amber.
"I was thinking maybe, just maybe, she just might come home," Amber said.
"CPS is there for reunification first and foremost," Kaptchinski said. "We were told that a number of times and that was another reason we felt everything was going really well."
But things couldn't have gone more wrong, the family said.
"I was one of those people who believed CPS was there to help, and they’re not," Susan Peters, Amber's mother, said.
After a year, CPS said it saw no changes in Amber's life so the agency moved to have her parental rights terminated. Her baby was later adopted by foster parents.
"I do believe she should have been adopted into the family," Amber said. "There was no reason for her to be adopted outside of the family."
"It was a shock," Amber's mother said.
"They just took a great-grandbaby away from me and gave it to strangers for someone else and it hurts," Amber's grandmother said.
They keep telling us she's in a good foster home and she's fine, but that's a foster home. We're her family," Tina Porter said.
Just like Amber's family, Tina and Brian Porter said CPS ignored state law when it allowed their great niece to be adopted by foster parents instead of blood relatives.
"I would never in my life believe, in this country, this kind of behavior is allowed," Brian Porter said.
Tina's niece, the baby's mother, is mentally disabled. Relatives describe her mental capacity as that of a 12-year-old.
"Being mentally disabled doesn't mean you don't have feelings," Tina Porter said. "She does love her children and wanted her children to remain with family versus foster care."
The Porters, who've raised six kids are in the process of adopting their niece's little boy and planned on adopting his baby sister. They've even got a room waiting for her.
"And I walk by that room everyday and we're still waiting. It's not fair," Tina Porter said.
According to the couple's attorney CPS talked Tina's niece into signing away her parental rights with no attorney present.
"She definitely has mental disabilities that were recognized in CPS's own paperwork and no precautions were taken," the Porters’ attorney Don Robinowitz said. "Somebody should have made sure that she was competent to make a decision of this magnitude."
What’s more, the couple accuses CPS of stringing them along for months, making them think they would be adopting the baby girl.
"I trusted em,” Tina Porter said. "I trusted everyone I spoke to."
Then, Tina said she got a call from CPS telling her in 24 hours the baby would be adopted by her foster parents.
"Unbelievable," Tina said. "I still can't believe it. How could this be allowed to happen?"
Amber's aunt Denise Arsement was more than willing to adopt Amber's baby girl.
"In a heartbeat," Arsement said. "And I told them that in court, I told them I would take her."
Out of more than half a dozen relatives CPS knew would take the baby, none were contacted by the state agency, Arsement said.
Even though CPS's own policy states relatives are always considered first, the number of CPS adoptions statewide to relatives is less than 50 percent. In fact, according to the state agency's own figures, in 2008, 61 percent of CPS adoptions were non-relative adoptions. In 2009 it was 57 percent and last year 55 percent of all CPS adoptions were non-relative adoptions.
“CPS knew what they were doing to tell me enough stories to keep stringing me along," Tina Porter said.
The Porters have filed suit and hope a court battle will undo the foster parent adoption so they can adopt their niece's baby girl.
Meanwhile Amber's family has an appeal on file and prays somehow her baby will someday be part of their family.
"I don't go a day without thinking about what she might be doing or where she's at," Amber said.
CPS told FOX 26 Investigates, they originally placed Amber's baby with two different relatives, but at the request of those relatives the child was removed because they were no longer able to care for her.
The state agency said it didn't consider any other relatives because it was ordered by the court to leave the baby with the foster parents who adopted her.
As for the Porters, CPS declined comment due to pending court proceedings.
"Something needs to be changed," Amber's aunt Denise said. "This just can't keep happening to family after family."
Attorney General Creates Professional Misconduct Review Unit, Appoints Kevin Ohlson Chief
Attorney General Creates Professional Misconduct Review Unit, Appoints Kevin Ohlson Chief
Department of Justice
Office of Public Affairs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASETuesday, January 18, 2011
Attorney General Creates Professional Misconduct Review Unit, Appoints Kevin Ohlson Chief
WASHINGTON – Attorney General Eric Holder announced today the creation of a new Professional Misconduct Review Unit to handle disciplinary actions for career attorneys at the Department of Justice that arise from Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) investigations and appointed Kevin Ohlson to be its Chief.
The Professional Misconduct Review Unit (PMRU) will be responsible for all disciplinary and state bar referral actions relating to OPR findings of professional misconduct against career attorneys.
“The current procedures for resolving these disciplinary matters consume too much time, and risk inconsistent resolutions, but this new Unit will help change that by providing consistent, fair, and timely resolution of these cases,” said Attorney General Holder. “In the vast majority of cases, Department attorneys meet their professional obligations but when allegations of misconduct occur, all parties deserve a fair and timely resolution. This Unit will be instrumental in achieving that goal and will also further the Department’s mission of meeting its ethical obligations in every case.”
“Through his lengthy career at the Department of Justice, Kevin Ohlson has been an extraordinary prosecutor and public servant, and I know that he will bring the high standards of professionalism and integrity that he has always demonstrated to this new position,” the Attorney General said.
OPR is responsible for investigating allegations of professional misconduct involving Department attorneys.
The Unit will review only those cases involving findings of intentional or reckless professional misconduct by OPR and determine whether those findings are supported by the evidence and the applicable law. OPR findings of poor judgment or mistake will continue to be referred to the component head or through the Executive Office for United States Attorneys (EOUSA) to the relevant U.S. Attorney for appropriate action.
The Unit was created as a result of a comprehensive review of existing disciplinary procedures and processes with the aim of creating a more efficient and uniform system. OPR, EOUSA, the Criminal Division, the Justice Management Division and the Office of Attorney Recruitment and Management conducted the review and recommended the creation of the Unit. At the outset, the Unit will focus on cases involving career attorneys from the recommending components though the Department expects to expand the jurisdiction of the Unit to cover other litigating components over time.
Ohlson has served as Chief of Staff and Counselor to the Attorney General since February 2009. He has previously served as the Director of the Executive Office for Immigration Review, chief of staff to the Deputy Attorney General, and Assistant U.S. Attorney. A former officer in the U.S. Army where he served as both a judge advocate and as a paratrooper, Ohlson was awarded the Bronze Star in 1990 for his service during the Persian Gulf War.
A copy of the memorandum is available at:
http://www.justice.gov/opa/documents/pmru-creation.pdf.
Department of Justice
Office of Public Affairs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASETuesday, January 18, 2011
Attorney General Creates Professional Misconduct Review Unit, Appoints Kevin Ohlson Chief
WASHINGTON – Attorney General Eric Holder announced today the creation of a new Professional Misconduct Review Unit to handle disciplinary actions for career attorneys at the Department of Justice that arise from Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) investigations and appointed Kevin Ohlson to be its Chief.
The Professional Misconduct Review Unit (PMRU) will be responsible for all disciplinary and state bar referral actions relating to OPR findings of professional misconduct against career attorneys.
“The current procedures for resolving these disciplinary matters consume too much time, and risk inconsistent resolutions, but this new Unit will help change that by providing consistent, fair, and timely resolution of these cases,” said Attorney General Holder. “In the vast majority of cases, Department attorneys meet their professional obligations but when allegations of misconduct occur, all parties deserve a fair and timely resolution. This Unit will be instrumental in achieving that goal and will also further the Department’s mission of meeting its ethical obligations in every case.”
“Through his lengthy career at the Department of Justice, Kevin Ohlson has been an extraordinary prosecutor and public servant, and I know that he will bring the high standards of professionalism and integrity that he has always demonstrated to this new position,” the Attorney General said.
OPR is responsible for investigating allegations of professional misconduct involving Department attorneys.
The Unit will review only those cases involving findings of intentional or reckless professional misconduct by OPR and determine whether those findings are supported by the evidence and the applicable law. OPR findings of poor judgment or mistake will continue to be referred to the component head or through the Executive Office for United States Attorneys (EOUSA) to the relevant U.S. Attorney for appropriate action.
The Unit was created as a result of a comprehensive review of existing disciplinary procedures and processes with the aim of creating a more efficient and uniform system. OPR, EOUSA, the Criminal Division, the Justice Management Division and the Office of Attorney Recruitment and Management conducted the review and recommended the creation of the Unit. At the outset, the Unit will focus on cases involving career attorneys from the recommending components though the Department expects to expand the jurisdiction of the Unit to cover other litigating components over time.
Ohlson has served as Chief of Staff and Counselor to the Attorney General since February 2009. He has previously served as the Director of the Executive Office for Immigration Review, chief of staff to the Deputy Attorney General, and Assistant U.S. Attorney. A former officer in the U.S. Army where he served as both a judge advocate and as a paratrooper, Ohlson was awarded the Bronze Star in 1990 for his service during the Persian Gulf War.
A copy of the memorandum is available at:
http://www.justice.gov/opa/documents/pmru-creation.pdf.
Nashua DCYF Screw's Up Again!!-Nashua child’s death ruled a homicide
Nashua child’s death ruled a homicide - NashuaTelegraph.com
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Nashua child’s death ruled a homicide
NASHUA – Autopsy results reveal 3-year-old Christian Jackson died of “blunt force trauma” and his death has been ruled a homicide, according to the state Attorney General’s office.
Christian Jackson stopped breathing late Saturday night, and was later declared dead.
No arrests have been made in the case. Nashua Police Department and the Attorney General’s office continue to investigate the child’s death.
Court records show state child welfare officials had investigated allegations that someone was abusing Christian Jackson less than three months before he died.
On Saturday night, someone in his father’s home at 63 Chestnut St. in Nashua called 911, authorities have said, and Christian was taken to Southern New Hampshire Medical Center, where he was declared dead.
Both of Christian Jackson’s parents, 30-year-old Shawn Ganley and 23-year-old Latoya Jackson, who lives at 46 Myrtle St. in Nashua, have prior criminal records.
Ganley was convicted in 2004 and sentenced to 2½ to seven years in prison on charges of first-degree assault, attempted first-degree assault, burglary, possession of heroin, and four counts of simple assault.
Ganley admitted to trying to stab his girlfriend after she confronted him about his drug use, and then stabbing his cousin in the chest after the cousin tried to break up a fight between him and his girlfriend. He was released from the prison April 27, officials said, and he remains on parole, with an additional, suspended sentence.
Latoya Jackson was convicted in 2005 on a hindering apprehension charge stemming from a child abuse case against her boyfriend, Jose Meza, who was convicted of repeatedly breaking the bones of their infant daughter Mariah Meza because he was frustrated by her crying. Meza pleaded guilty to felony assault charges, and was sentenced in 2007 to at least 12 years in prison.
Jackson was 16 when the abuse was discovered in 2004, and she later admitted helping Meza try to hide their daughter’s injuries. She agreed to testify against Meza, and was sentenced to five years on probation.
Mariah Meza was put into foster care, and Jackson has been unable to regain custody, according to one of Jackson’s friends.
Court records show that authorities had investigated accusations that Christian Jackson had been abused in the months before his death.
Christian Jackson was born Jan. 12, 2008. His parents never married.
Jackson had been raising Christian exclusively for most of his life with welfare assistance, according to court records.
On Nov. 29, Ganley filed emergency petitions in both Nashua District Court and the Hillsborough County Family Court in Merrimack, seeking custody of Christian. Ganley had been taking the boy on weekends, from Friday evening through Sunday evenings, for about a month at that point, according to court records.
“Since I have separated from my son’s mother I have been taking him every weekend,” Ganley wrote. “He has come with bite marks on his face, choke marks on his neck and this past weekend he has come with a black eye and the whole side of his head and face bruised. He has also in the past year had a broken arm and a dislocated shoulder.”
Ganley asked the court to let him keep Christian, writing, “I’m afraid she’ll take him back and something bad will happen to him.”
The court allowed Ganley to keep Christian for a week while caseworkers from the Division of Children Youth and Families investigated, court records show, and Marital Master Alice Love heard testimony on the matter Dec. 6.
“DCYF confirms bruising but is unable to determine the source,” Love wrote after the hearing. “Based upon the testimony, the court is unable to find that the child should be taken from his mother.”
Love, DCYF and the parents agreed to continue the custody arrangement – that Jackson keep Christian during the week and Ganley take his son on weekends. The trial was scheduled to begin in May.
A friend of Latoya Jackson, Shelly Kendzerski, said she believes Ganley exaggerated Christian’s injuries and lied about alleged abuse cited in his petition “just to get at Latoya, to hurt Latoya, because she did not want to be with him.”
“That is all a bunch of bull,” Kendzerski said of Ganley’s petition. “Latoya does not beat her children. She may yell at them a little when they are doing something they shouldn’t do…. None of her children are in any danger being with her.”
Layota Jackson has been in shock since Christian’s death, and hasn’t been eating or sleeping well, Kendzerski said.
“He didn’t even get to live his life,” Kendzerski said, adding later, “Christian was a happy child. He had the most gorgeous smile in the world that would just light up a room.”
Family and friends have set up a fund to help pay for Christian’s funeral: donations to the Christian Jackson Funeral Fund can be made at any TD Bank branch.
-- By Joseph Cote and Telegraph Staff
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Nashua child’s death ruled a homicide
NASHUA – Autopsy results reveal 3-year-old Christian Jackson died of “blunt force trauma” and his death has been ruled a homicide, according to the state Attorney General’s office.
Christian Jackson stopped breathing late Saturday night, and was later declared dead.
No arrests have been made in the case. Nashua Police Department and the Attorney General’s office continue to investigate the child’s death.
Court records show state child welfare officials had investigated allegations that someone was abusing Christian Jackson less than three months before he died.
On Saturday night, someone in his father’s home at 63 Chestnut St. in Nashua called 911, authorities have said, and Christian was taken to Southern New Hampshire Medical Center, where he was declared dead.
Both of Christian Jackson’s parents, 30-year-old Shawn Ganley and 23-year-old Latoya Jackson, who lives at 46 Myrtle St. in Nashua, have prior criminal records.
Ganley was convicted in 2004 and sentenced to 2½ to seven years in prison on charges of first-degree assault, attempted first-degree assault, burglary, possession of heroin, and four counts of simple assault.
Ganley admitted to trying to stab his girlfriend after she confronted him about his drug use, and then stabbing his cousin in the chest after the cousin tried to break up a fight between him and his girlfriend. He was released from the prison April 27, officials said, and he remains on parole, with an additional, suspended sentence.
Latoya Jackson was convicted in 2005 on a hindering apprehension charge stemming from a child abuse case against her boyfriend, Jose Meza, who was convicted of repeatedly breaking the bones of their infant daughter Mariah Meza because he was frustrated by her crying. Meza pleaded guilty to felony assault charges, and was sentenced in 2007 to at least 12 years in prison.
Jackson was 16 when the abuse was discovered in 2004, and she later admitted helping Meza try to hide their daughter’s injuries. She agreed to testify against Meza, and was sentenced to five years on probation.
Mariah Meza was put into foster care, and Jackson has been unable to regain custody, according to one of Jackson’s friends.
Court records show that authorities had investigated accusations that Christian Jackson had been abused in the months before his death.
Christian Jackson was born Jan. 12, 2008. His parents never married.
Jackson had been raising Christian exclusively for most of his life with welfare assistance, according to court records.
On Nov. 29, Ganley filed emergency petitions in both Nashua District Court and the Hillsborough County Family Court in Merrimack, seeking custody of Christian. Ganley had been taking the boy on weekends, from Friday evening through Sunday evenings, for about a month at that point, according to court records.
“Since I have separated from my son’s mother I have been taking him every weekend,” Ganley wrote. “He has come with bite marks on his face, choke marks on his neck and this past weekend he has come with a black eye and the whole side of his head and face bruised. He has also in the past year had a broken arm and a dislocated shoulder.”
Ganley asked the court to let him keep Christian, writing, “I’m afraid she’ll take him back and something bad will happen to him.”
The court allowed Ganley to keep Christian for a week while caseworkers from the Division of Children Youth and Families investigated, court records show, and Marital Master Alice Love heard testimony on the matter Dec. 6.
“DCYF confirms bruising but is unable to determine the source,” Love wrote after the hearing. “Based upon the testimony, the court is unable to find that the child should be taken from his mother.”
Love, DCYF and the parents agreed to continue the custody arrangement – that Jackson keep Christian during the week and Ganley take his son on weekends. The trial was scheduled to begin in May.
A friend of Latoya Jackson, Shelly Kendzerski, said she believes Ganley exaggerated Christian’s injuries and lied about alleged abuse cited in his petition “just to get at Latoya, to hurt Latoya, because she did not want to be with him.”
“That is all a bunch of bull,” Kendzerski said of Ganley’s petition. “Latoya does not beat her children. She may yell at them a little when they are doing something they shouldn’t do…. None of her children are in any danger being with her.”
Layota Jackson has been in shock since Christian’s death, and hasn’t been eating or sleeping well, Kendzerski said.
“He didn’t even get to live his life,” Kendzerski said, adding later, “Christian was a happy child. He had the most gorgeous smile in the world that would just light up a room.”
Family and friends have set up a fund to help pay for Christian’s funeral: donations to the Christian Jackson Funeral Fund can be made at any TD Bank branch.
-- By Joseph Cote and Telegraph Staff
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
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