Two Indiana CPS FAIL Cases-Child Deaths- UPDATED

Case 1: Devin Lee Parsons

Devin, 12, died on June 3, 2011 when his mother and her boyfriend beat him to death. They beat him because Devin had been hiding their illicit drugs. “Devin was beaten and tortured over the course of more than 12 hours. An autopsy revealed bruises over 90 percent of his body. The litany of injuries included a broken arm, broken leg, broken ribs and cigarette burns on his face.”

Earlier in 2012, his mother, Tasha Parsons, was convicted and sentenced to 60 years in prison. In December 2012, the mother’s boyfriend,Waldo “Lynn” Jones Jr., was also sentenced to 60 years in prison. Both pled guilty in a deal to avoid life in prison without parole.

Devin’s younger brother is being raised by their father and his wife.

What makes this situation worse is that DCS had been contacted 11 times between September 2010 to June 2011 with allegations of abuse against Devin. Additionally, at least 8 other times DCS had been called in the past with abuse allegations. One month before he died, his school contacted DCS concerned with scratches on his neck. “A DCS worker investigating that report said Devin told her he was “afraid to go home because he fears what will happen now that he has told.” He told the worker that his mother caused the scratches when she grabbed his neck in a fit of anger and that she had threatened him if he told anyone what happened.” Was Devin removed from the home? Of course not. He was sent home that day by DCS.

Even more incredulous is that “hours before Devin’s lifeless body was found a local DCS official closed both investigations with no action taken against Tasha Parsons or Jones.”

18 months after Devin Lee Parsons was killed, his story still stings and inspires

[Indianapolis Star 12/12/12 by Tim Evans]

Family members have formed The Devin Lee Parsons Child Abuse and Domestic Violence Foundation which is partnering with local domestic violence organizations to raise awareness of child abuse.

Case 2: Skyler Dunn

Skyler Dunn, 2, died on May 27, 2012 after sustaining skull fractures by his stepmother earlier in the month. Stepmother Autumn Dunn was sentenced to 30 years in prison on December 19, 2012. She pled guilty to neglect in exchange for  having abuse and murder charges dropped. 

“After Skyler died, Dunn eventually admitted to dropping him twice onto a concrete floor, where he struck his head, and then putting him to bed without seeking medical attention despite obvious signs of injuries.” “In interviews with police after the boy’s death, Dunn said the first time she dropped Skyler was an accident. But she admitted to intentionally dropping him a second time after she became frustrated with his crying and attempts to wiggle out of her arms.”

Once again, DCS had been notified of abuse allegations during custody visits and did nothing. In this case, DCS was notified 3 times in the past 6 months. One report came from the child’s physician.

THREE caseworkers were involved and they closed the case within one week.

Since 2007, 35 children from Indiana have died after DCS received reports raising concerns about their welfare.

Mother wonders why DCS failed her 2-year-old-son

[Indianapolis Star 12/19/12 by Tim Evans]

 Update: A negligence lawsuit has been filed by Jean Seal, the biological mother, against DCS and Autumn Dunn in Skyler Dunn’s death case.

“Jean Seal, the biological mother of Skyler Dunn, has filed a lawsuit against the Indiana Department of Child Services, claiming the agency was negligent in the child’s death.

Skyler Dunn, 2, died May 27 after police say the child’s stepmother, Autumn Dunn, dropped the baby on his head twice because he wouldn’t stop crying.

In addition to DCS, the lawsuit also names Autumn Dunn and Allen Dunn, Skyler’s biological father.

The lawsuit alleges Seal and Skyler Dunn’s doctor both reported suspected child abuse to the Indiana Department of Child Services, and the agency conducted at least one investigation in early 2012.

DCS concluded reports of child abuse were unsubstantiated, the lawsuit said.

“(DCS), its agents, employees, and representatives, were negligent in failing to properly conduct its investigation into reports of abuse against Skyler W. Dunn,” read the lawsuit.

The complaint also alleges DCS failed to communicate with the baby’s medical providers or to consult any child abuse experts regarding the injuries.

“This tragedy demonstrates one of the toughest challenges social workers face, in that DCS did conduct an assessment, but at the time of that action, was unable to find evidence that would substantiate child abuse as defined by Indiana law,” wrote DCS spokeswoman Stephanie McFarland in an email to Call 6 Investigator Kara Kenney.

The lawsuit also alleges Autumn Dunn failed to exercise reasonable care in caring for Skyler Dunn and failed to seek timely medical care for the baby.

Autumn Dunn was sentenced to 30 years after admitting to intentionally dropping her stepson, causing the child’s death.

Dunn pleaded guilty to felony neglect in exchange for six other charges against her being dropped, and admitted to lying to employees at Riley Hospital about how Skyler came to be injured.

The lawsuit seeks damages for Dunn’s burial and funeral, counseling, attorney’s fees and other expenses. ”
Lawsuit filed against DCS in 2-year-old’s death

[WRTV6 5/24/13 by Kara Kenney]