GRASC is a statewide organization that is trying to get law changed - Video | Local Entertainment for Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson S.C. and Asheville N.C.: "osted on Wed, March 23, 2011
GRASC is a statewide organization that is trying to get law changed to mandate the family courts to consider grandparents and other close family members for permanent placement of children when parents are deemed inappropriate. http://www.grasc.org."
Click on the link above for the Video.
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
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Welfare Worker and Supervisor Charged in Death of Child
Welfare Worker and Supervisor Charged in Death of Child - NYTimes.com
A former city child welfare worker and his supervisor were indicted on charges of criminally negligent homicide, the Brooklyn district attorney announced Wednesday, saying that their failures had contributed to the death of a 4-year-old Brooklyn girl, Marchella Pierce, who had been repeatedly beaten and tied to a bed and weighed just 18 pounds at the end of her life in September.
The girl’s grandmother, who witnessed her being tied to the bed many times, according to the district attorney, also was indicted, on manslaughter and other charges. The girl’s mother already faces murder charges.
The district attorney, Charles J. Hynes, also said he was convening a special grand jury to investigate whether the city’s child welfare agency, the Administration for Children’s Services, had followed through on its plan for reforms after the 2006 death of Nixzmary Brown, a 7-year-old Brooklyn girl who died from repeated beatings at the hands of her stepfather.
An A.C.S. report in October on Marchella’s death said that its workers and an independent agency contracted to look after the family had missed or ignored signs that the girl’s mother, who had a history of drug use, was incapable of caring for her. The report also expressed doubts that child welfare workers made visits to the home that they said they had made.
Damon Adams, the former A.C.S. caseworker assigned to Marchella’s case, and his supervisor, Chereece Bell, were each indicted on charges of criminally negligent homicide, official misconduct and endangering the welfare of a child. Mr. Adams also was charged with tampering with public records and falsifying records.
According to the district attorney, after Marchella died, Mr. Adams posted an entry in the agency’s computer records to make it appear that he had made visits to the family when he had not. Ms. Bell was accused of failing to properly oversee and monitor Mr. Adams’s work.
Marchella’s grandmother, Loretta Brett, witnessed the girl being bound to her bed on most days between March and her death in September, the district attorney said. For part of that time, the bed was in the grandmother’s room.
“Baby Marchella might be alive today, had these A.C.S. workers attended to her case with the basic levels of care it deserved, or had her grandmother stepped in and put a stop to the shocking abuse she is charged with facilitating,” Mr. Hynes said.
According to prosecutors, Marchella’s mother, Carlotta Brett-Pierce, tied Marchella to her bed, beat her with a belt and videocasette tape, deprived her of food and water, and force-fed her medication including Claritin and a generic form of Benadryl. Marchella died Sept. 2 of child abuse syndrome, along with acute drug poisoning, blunt impact injuries, malnutrition and dehydration, prosecutors said.
A former city child welfare worker and his supervisor were indicted on charges of criminally negligent homicide, the Brooklyn district attorney announced Wednesday, saying that their failures had contributed to the death of a 4-year-old Brooklyn girl, Marchella Pierce, who had been repeatedly beaten and tied to a bed and weighed just 18 pounds at the end of her life in September.
The girl’s grandmother, who witnessed her being tied to the bed many times, according to the district attorney, also was indicted, on manslaughter and other charges. The girl’s mother already faces murder charges.
The district attorney, Charles J. Hynes, also said he was convening a special grand jury to investigate whether the city’s child welfare agency, the Administration for Children’s Services, had followed through on its plan for reforms after the 2006 death of Nixzmary Brown, a 7-year-old Brooklyn girl who died from repeated beatings at the hands of her stepfather.
An A.C.S. report in October on Marchella’s death said that its workers and an independent agency contracted to look after the family had missed or ignored signs that the girl’s mother, who had a history of drug use, was incapable of caring for her. The report also expressed doubts that child welfare workers made visits to the home that they said they had made.
Damon Adams, the former A.C.S. caseworker assigned to Marchella’s case, and his supervisor, Chereece Bell, were each indicted on charges of criminally negligent homicide, official misconduct and endangering the welfare of a child. Mr. Adams also was charged with tampering with public records and falsifying records.
According to the district attorney, after Marchella died, Mr. Adams posted an entry in the agency’s computer records to make it appear that he had made visits to the family when he had not. Ms. Bell was accused of failing to properly oversee and monitor Mr. Adams’s work.
Marchella’s grandmother, Loretta Brett, witnessed the girl being bound to her bed on most days between March and her death in September, the district attorney said. For part of that time, the bed was in the grandmother’s room.
“Baby Marchella might be alive today, had these A.C.S. workers attended to her case with the basic levels of care it deserved, or had her grandmother stepped in and put a stop to the shocking abuse she is charged with facilitating,” Mr. Hynes said.
According to prosecutors, Marchella’s mother, Carlotta Brett-Pierce, tied Marchella to her bed, beat her with a belt and videocasette tape, deprived her of food and water, and force-fed her medication including Claritin and a generic form of Benadryl. Marchella died Sept. 2 of child abuse syndrome, along with acute drug poisoning, blunt impact injuries, malnutrition and dehydration, prosecutors said.
Phoebe Prince kin to Irish: Lay off visiting school kids
Phoebe Prince kin to Irish: Lay off visiting school kids - BostonHerald.com
Phoebe Prince’s family and friends are calling on Ireland to welcome a school trip by South Hadley High School kids next month as part of an effort to heal old wounds even as rage against the visit boils over on the Emerald Isle.
Eileen Moore, Phoebe’s aunt, called a planned protest of the trip by Irish nationals — still stung by the January 2010 suicide of the 15-year-old transfer student — “an injustice,” while others warned someone could get hurt.
“The kids should have the respect they deserve,” Moore told the Herald yesterday. “We’re ready to condemn kids who saved money for more than a year to go to Ireland, but not a single teacher or administrator who turned a blind eye to the bullying?”
Other anti-bullying crusaders in South Hadley said the Irish ire over the April 18-22 trip is off target.
“I don’t think you can punish those kids for what happened a year ago,” said South Hadley parent Darby O’Brien, a Prince family friend. “There are some good kids — real good kids — in South Hadley.”
Even Phoebe’s father in Ireland stepped in and asked that a proposed protest at the Shannon Airport in County Clare — close to Phoebe’s native home of Fannore — be stopped, according to Tony Fisher, an Irish national behind the planned rally.
But Fisher — a parent who helped start an anti-bullying program in County Cork after Prince’s suicide — said many in Ireland are still nursing hard feelings over the South Hadley teens who prosecutors say tormented Phoebe in the weeks before she took her own life.
“We felt disgusted and appalled,” Fisher said. “It felt like a real insult, not only to her family, but to the whole country. It’s too raw, still.”
The Irish Independent of Dublin has reported that the trip “is being seen as yet another example of lessons not learned in the 14 months since (Phoebe) tragically took her own life.”
The site IrishCentral.com also alerted readers to the visit, with online commenters calling it “bizarre” and “sick.”
Fisher sees the field trip as the latest blunder by South Hadley High administrators, who went ahead with a planned cotillion last year, just days after the Irish native hanged herself in the stairwell of her home.
Six former South Hadley students are charged in connection with her death.
The spring-break tour — which will take the 40 students, parents and chaperones from Ireland to Great Britain — is sponsored by the school’s Culture Club.
Luke Gelinas, a South Hadley parent who has sharply criticized school honchos in the wake of Phoebe’s death, said the trip could put the students in harm’s way.
“If something does happen, who wants to put that memory in these kids’ heads? I think it’s very irresponsible to take that risk,” he said. “These kids have been through enough.”
Added D’Arby O’Brien: “I wouldn’t wear a South Hadley Tigers shirt over there.”
South Hadley High Principal Dan Smith and Superintendent Gus Sayer did not return calls or e-mails yesterday.
Richard Weir contributed to this report.
South Hadley:
Students to appear for May court date
Phoebe Prince’s family and friends are calling on Ireland to welcome a school trip by South Hadley High School kids next month as part of an effort to heal old wounds even as rage against the visit boils over on the Emerald Isle.
Eileen Moore, Phoebe’s aunt, called a planned protest of the trip by Irish nationals — still stung by the January 2010 suicide of the 15-year-old transfer student — “an injustice,” while others warned someone could get hurt.
“The kids should have the respect they deserve,” Moore told the Herald yesterday. “We’re ready to condemn kids who saved money for more than a year to go to Ireland, but not a single teacher or administrator who turned a blind eye to the bullying?”
Other anti-bullying crusaders in South Hadley said the Irish ire over the April 18-22 trip is off target.
“I don’t think you can punish those kids for what happened a year ago,” said South Hadley parent Darby O’Brien, a Prince family friend. “There are some good kids — real good kids — in South Hadley.”
Even Phoebe’s father in Ireland stepped in and asked that a proposed protest at the Shannon Airport in County Clare — close to Phoebe’s native home of Fannore — be stopped, according to Tony Fisher, an Irish national behind the planned rally.
But Fisher — a parent who helped start an anti-bullying program in County Cork after Prince’s suicide — said many in Ireland are still nursing hard feelings over the South Hadley teens who prosecutors say tormented Phoebe in the weeks before she took her own life.
“We felt disgusted and appalled,” Fisher said. “It felt like a real insult, not only to her family, but to the whole country. It’s too raw, still.”
The Irish Independent of Dublin has reported that the trip “is being seen as yet another example of lessons not learned in the 14 months since (Phoebe) tragically took her own life.”
The site IrishCentral.com also alerted readers to the visit, with online commenters calling it “bizarre” and “sick.”
Fisher sees the field trip as the latest blunder by South Hadley High administrators, who went ahead with a planned cotillion last year, just days after the Irish native hanged herself in the stairwell of her home.
Six former South Hadley students are charged in connection with her death.
The spring-break tour — which will take the 40 students, parents and chaperones from Ireland to Great Britain — is sponsored by the school’s Culture Club.
Luke Gelinas, a South Hadley parent who has sharply criticized school honchos in the wake of Phoebe’s death, said the trip could put the students in harm’s way.
“If something does happen, who wants to put that memory in these kids’ heads? I think it’s very irresponsible to take that risk,” he said. “These kids have been through enough.”
Added D’Arby O’Brien: “I wouldn’t wear a South Hadley Tigers shirt over there.”
South Hadley High Principal Dan Smith and Superintendent Gus Sayer did not return calls or e-mails yesterday.
Richard Weir contributed to this report.
South Hadley:
Students to appear for May court date
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
A Mother's Plea: Emma Routh's Mother Speaks Out
A Mother's Plea: Emma Routh's Mother Speaks Out - CBS 19 - The Eye of East Texas News -
By Anthony Austin
(KYTX) - It's a story we've been following for more than two years now. The story of Emma Routh, a Palestine girl battling a rare and serious blood disorder, who finally received the bone marrow transplant she needed.
Now, that same little girl has been taken away from her mother for alleged neglect. Now, cell phone video is all Emma's mother has left.
"They took my kid for no reason, they didn't give me a chance to defend myself," said Brandy Pfluger.
Six months ago, during a hospital visit in Boston, Child Protective Services in Texas began questioning Brandy about her daughter's health.
"The next morning, I got a call saying they had went in front of a judge and taken Emma away from me and I no longer had custody of her," said Brandy.
According to Child Protective Services, Medical professionals brought to their attention concerns they had with Emma's medical care. In a statement, the department said it believed that the safety of Emma would be in immediate danger due to the history of medical and physical neglect.
"The last six months have been so hard sitting in a house with her pictures, I've always had my children, I've never been alone," said Brandy.
In an affidavit filed by CPS, Emma had poor hygiene, bacteria in her blood, and dehydration when she arrived at the hospital in Boston. Brandy said those claims are false.
"I've never neglected Emma, I've never abused my children," said Brandy.
Emma is now in state foster care. Brandy said medical records show her daughter's physical health is declining.
"She's got PTSD, she has herpes. How a six year old gets herpes, I have no idea... the medical team is not allowed to talk to me."
Brandy says she is the only person who understands her daughter's needs. Now, she says her child is suffering more without her.
"She actually told the medical staff that she wanted to die and she wanted me and her brothers to die...so we could all be together."
Brandy is still fighting for custody of Emma. She will be going to court in April to determine if her daughter will be returned to her care. Right now, she's only allowed to see Emma, once every other week, for an hour.
By Anthony Austin
(KYTX) - It's a story we've been following for more than two years now. The story of Emma Routh, a Palestine girl battling a rare and serious blood disorder, who finally received the bone marrow transplant she needed.
Now, that same little girl has been taken away from her mother for alleged neglect. Now, cell phone video is all Emma's mother has left.
"They took my kid for no reason, they didn't give me a chance to defend myself," said Brandy Pfluger.
Six months ago, during a hospital visit in Boston, Child Protective Services in Texas began questioning Brandy about her daughter's health.
"The next morning, I got a call saying they had went in front of a judge and taken Emma away from me and I no longer had custody of her," said Brandy.
According to Child Protective Services, Medical professionals brought to their attention concerns they had with Emma's medical care. In a statement, the department said it believed that the safety of Emma would be in immediate danger due to the history of medical and physical neglect.
"The last six months have been so hard sitting in a house with her pictures, I've always had my children, I've never been alone," said Brandy.
In an affidavit filed by CPS, Emma had poor hygiene, bacteria in her blood, and dehydration when she arrived at the hospital in Boston. Brandy said those claims are false.
"I've never neglected Emma, I've never abused my children," said Brandy.
Emma is now in state foster care. Brandy said medical records show her daughter's physical health is declining.
"She's got PTSD, she has herpes. How a six year old gets herpes, I have no idea... the medical team is not allowed to talk to me."
Brandy says she is the only person who understands her daughter's needs. Now, she says her child is suffering more without her.
"She actually told the medical staff that she wanted to die and she wanted me and her brothers to die...so we could all be together."
Brandy is still fighting for custody of Emma. She will be going to court in April to determine if her daughter will be returned to her care. Right now, she's only allowed to see Emma, once every other week, for an hour.
Fed AFCAR's on Foster Children, Alive, Dead and Unaccounted For
This posting was submitted by a friend who researched the number of children in foster care, the number of children who died in foster care and the number of children who were in foster care, now unaccounted for.
I spent several hours going over state and federal records of the latest count on foster children and here are the final totals.
The Fed's (AFCAR) say there are 423,773 in foster care. However when you add it up individually as far as the separate numbers, those in the different placements of foster care it only comes to 420,698. Then when you add the confirmed dead children of 417, it brings the total to 421,115, which means that there are still 2,658 children unaccounted for.
Now here are the figures from the individual states that come to a grand total of 468,827 children. When you subtract the Fed's total and the confirmed dead, it leaves a difference of 44,637 children. Moral of this story, we still don't really know how many children are in foster care. In doing this research, I also ran into a report that said that Texas admitted to getting $101,105 per child, per year, in some special needs children.
According to the Feds Afcar's,there are 930 kids in foster care in New Hampshire, but according to the State of New Hampshire there are 1,178.
I spent several hours going over state and federal records of the latest count on foster children and here are the final totals.
The Fed's (AFCAR) say there are 423,773 in foster care. However when you add it up individually as far as the separate numbers, those in the different placements of foster care it only comes to 420,698. Then when you add the confirmed dead children of 417, it brings the total to 421,115, which means that there are still 2,658 children unaccounted for.
Now here are the figures from the individual states that come to a grand total of 468,827 children. When you subtract the Fed's total and the confirmed dead, it leaves a difference of 44,637 children. Moral of this story, we still don't really know how many children are in foster care. In doing this research, I also ran into a report that said that Texas admitted to getting $101,105 per child, per year, in some special needs children.
According to the Feds Afcar's,there are 930 kids in foster care in New Hampshire, but according to the State of New Hampshire there are 1,178.
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