How Could You? Hall of Shame-Markel Collins case-Child Death

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 Houston, Texas, 3-year-old Markel Collins died in CPS care on September 22, 2012 after being removed from his mother’s home two month ago. “Markel had to breathe through a tube and required special medical  attention. ” His mother Latasha Riles was not informed of his death for one day.

“She said CPS wasn’t even the bearer of the bad news.

“Not through CPS, not through a foster mother but through a  friend,” Riles said.

CPS admits  they didn’t know about Markel’s death until Sept. 24.  CPS and the Harris  County Sheriff’s Office would only say they are conducting investigations.   The cause of the baby’s death is pending autopsy results.

“She needs answers and no one is being  upfront with her,” Pastor Moses Thomas said.

“The whole three years she’s with me, she doesn’t pass away  and within two months, she passes away in you all’s custody,” Riles said.”

Mother Tells Her Story

“”Can’t no one raise your kids better than you can,” a  distraught Latasha Riles said.

Riles gave birth to seven children when [sic] she was 28 years  old.  In July, Child Protective Services took her children into protective  custody.

“I did the best I could to  make sure they had everything they needed,” Riles said.  “They never went  homeless; they never went around dirty; they always had a place to stay.”

To hear CPS tell it, Riles was a  neglectful, abusive parent and all her kids would be much better off in foster  care.  Riles, who has never been convicted of a crime, admits she has had  some issues.

“Yes sir, I have  smoked marijuana,” she said.  “I’m not going to lie about that.  I’ve  done things I know I wasn’t supposed to do.”

“Forget about what a mother was or was not,” Pastor F.N.  William’s Sr. said.  “A child is dead.”

 

3-year-old dies in CPS custody

[Fox 26 Houston 10/9/12 by Randy Wallace]

REFORM Puzzle Piece