How Could You? Hall of Shame–Kennersons

By Rally on 12-28-2011 in Abuse in adoption, How could you? Hall of Shame, Louisiana, Mary Kennerson, Verna Kennerson

This will be an archive of heinous actions by those involved in child welfare, foster care and adoption. We forewarn you that these are deeply disturbing stories that may involve sex abuse, murder, kidnapping and other horrendous actions.

From Moss Bluff, Louisiana, adoptive mother Verna Kennerson, 56, awaiting trial on 13 counts of abuse of her 17-year-old adoptive daughters, died on December 17, 2011. Her mother, Mary Kennerson,77, is still expected to go on trial for one count of cruelty on April 9, 2012.

On May 25, 2011, the two girls were removed from the home by Department of Children & Family Services.

Southwest Daily News reports from the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s news release that on July 6, 2011 “the investigation led the arrest of Verna A. Kennerson, 56, of Moss Bluff.

In May the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office received a complaint from witnesses who had seen a young girl eating out of a trash can in the area of Georgia Road in Moss Bluff. Detectives spoke with several people in the area who confirmed seeing the young girl eating from the trash can on several occasions.

The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office reported the incident to the Department of Children & Family Services, and on May 25 the young girl and her sister were removed from their home.

The CPSO investigation continued, and once in the care of the Dept. of Children & Family Services, the young girls revealed they had been physically and emotionally abused by their mother, who lives at 1381 Georgia Road in Moss Bluff, including being struck with several items, including belts, extension cords, and sticks.

Kennerson allegedly whipped the girls on their legs until they bled, and struck one of the girls in the face with a wooden object, chipping the girl’s tooth. Kennerson, who is handicapped, apparently suspended one of the girl’s off the ground using her handicap lift, threatening to hang her. The investigation also revealed the girls were forced to sleep outside in a portable building in the back yard of the residence that had no flooring and no electricity, and were not given food, so they were forced to find food from neighborhood trash cans.

During the investigation, it was also revealed the mother forced the two girls to wear a piece of paper stapled to the back of their clothing while attending school which read, “We work as a team, we lie and steal.” The girls were asked to remove the note by school officials but refused, because they were afraid of what would happen if Kennerson found out.

The girls were seen by a physician and their scars were documented.

The investigation also revealed Kennerson’s mother, Mary J. Kennerson, 77, who lived with the family, had knowledge of the alleged abused and failed to report the incidents.”

At that point, bonds were set at $10,000 apiece.

KPLCTV reported on July 8, 2011 “A mother facing 13 counts of child cruelty said she is innocent.

Verna Kennerson, 56, Moss Bluff, said her two young daughters are making up the abuse allegations. Kennerson said she adopted the girls a few years ago and claims they have been trouble ever since.

Kennerson made the comments as she gave KPLC an exclusive tour of the inside of her home.

Calcasieu Parish investigators said Kennerson refused to feed the girls, forcing them to look for food in neighborhood trash cans. They also said she physically abused the girls with belts, extension cords and sticks. They said she even struck one of the girls so hard she chipped the girl’s tooth. And they say she even threatened to hang one of the girls.

Authorities said Kennerson also forced the girls to wear signs on the back of their shirts while attending school. The signs identified the girls as thieves and liars.

Kennerson told 7 News on Thursday that she considers herself a strict disciplinarian but never abused the girls, though she does admits to making them wear the signs to school. Kennerson said the girls have been in trouble at school numerous times.

“I made them wear the signs and I made them write the signs,” said Kennerson. “I can’t remember word-for-word but I did make them wear it to go to school to discourage them and shame them from stealing.”

As for the allegations that she starved them or forced them to sleep in a shed outside, Kennerson said those claims are not true, pointing to the full refrigerator of food in her kitchen.

“They did not sleep in a portable building,” she said. “Why would I make them sleep in a portable building?”

Kennerson, who is handicapped, admits to slapping the girls, but she said that is as far as the abuse went.

Following an investigation, deputies arrested Kennerson on Wednesday (the day before this interview), charging her with the thirteen counts of child cruelty. They also arrested her 77-year-old mother, Mary Kennerson, charging her with one count of child cruelty for not coming forward to report the abuse.

The pair bonded out a short time later. They are currently awaiting their court dates.

Despite the notoriety, Kennerson said she does not care what others think about her.

“I’m not worried about what people say about me,” she said. “People can say whatever they want to say about me because I know it’s a lie.”

The children are in the state’s custody.”

The grand jury indicted them on September 22, 2011. They both pled not guilty on October 31, 2011.

American Press reports “The Kennersons told the American Press the allegations were not true and the girls were lying.

“I didn’t see nothing like the way those children said my daughter beat them. The children are lying, and they are pathological liars,” Mary Kennerson told the American Press in July.

A grand jury indicted the Kennersons on Sept 22. Verna Kennerson was charged with 13 counts of cruelty to a juvenile, and Mary Keenerson faces one count of cruelty.

District attorney’s office spokesperson Beth McGee said Verna Kennerson’s charges will be dismissed once the office receives a death certificate.

The case against Mary Kennerson will still go forward, McGee said. Kennerson is scheduled to stand trial before Judge Clayton Davis on April 9.”

Moss Bluff woman, mother arrested for cruelty to juvenile
[Southwwest Daily News 7/7/11]

Mother, grandmother accused of child abuse
[KPLCTV 7/7/11]

Moss Bluff mom accused of child abuse speaks out
[KPLCTV 7/8/11]

Kennersons plead not guilty to cruelty charges
[American Press 11/1/11 by Taylor Prejean]

Suspect in abuse case dies at 56
[American Press 12/28/11 by Taylor Prejean]

Child abuse suspect dies, case still moving forward
[KPLCTV 12/27/11]

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