How Could You? Hall of Shame-CPS Regional Director Sharonika Wesby Wimberly UPDATED
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 Richmond County, Georgia DFCS Regional Director Sharonika Wesby Wimberly, 34, answered the phone to take a report from the Academy of Richmond County of child abuse IMPLICATING HER in her daughter’s abuse . She was subsequently arrested.
“Carrier said Wimberly admitted to abuse against her daughter that resulted in deep bruising. She was booked into the Richmond County jail on charges of child cruelty in the first degree.
On Wednesday afternoon, a DFCS official said Wimberly has been suspended.
“Based on the severity of the allegations, the employee is being placed on suspension,” said Ravae Graham, the deputy director of the Legislative Affairs and Communications Department of Human Services.
“The Department will closely monitor the legal process and proceed accordingly as events warrant,” Graham said in an e-mail.
The 15-year-old Richmond Academy student told school authorities her mother had hit her in the arm with a broom handle for overuse of a cellphone.
Carrier said that the mother admitted to disciplining her daughter but contended she used a studded belt.[Oh that makes it so much better! NOT!] Both items were retrieved from Wimberly’s home, he said, but injuries were found consistent with the use of the broom handle.
Doctors initially thought the teen’s upper arm was broken as a result of the assault, but after X-rays were taken, it was diagnosed as severe deep tissue bruising.”
DFCS supervisor took school’s report of daughter’s abuse
[The Augusta Chronicle 10/24/12 by Bianca Cain Johnson]
REFORM Puzzle Piece
Update: Sharonika pled guilty to misdemeanor child abuse on February 13, 2013. She was sentenced to 12 months probation and $500 fine.
“Wimberly was indicted on a charge of family violence battery in January for hitting her 15-year-old daughter on Oct. 22, leaving a deep bruise on the teen’s arm.
Wimberly’s daughter was in court Wednesday to support her mother. Wimberly lost her DFCS job after her arrest. The incident was reported by a school official – a DFCS call that Wimberly answered.
As part of her sentence, Judge J. Wade Padgett included a special condition: Wimberly cannot use physical discipline on any child while on probation. Wimberly was sentenced under the First Offender Act.”
Former DFCS Regional director pleads guilty to misdemeanor child abuse
[The Augusta Chronicle 2/13/13]
We couldn’t make this stuff up.