How Could You? Hall of Shame-Kaniiyah Easley 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 Newark, New Jersey, 11-month old Kaniiyah Easley died on May 15, 2013 from drowning in one inch of water in a bathtub. The foster parent, who was caring for two other foster children (likely Kaniiyah’s two brothers) in her apartment, has not been named. The other two children have been removed.  The police director has already declared it an accident in interviews yet neglect is supposedly being investigated by DCF and police.

“Circumstances surrounding the death of Kaniiyah Ealey remain unclear but state Department of Children and Families Commissioner Allison Blake said the agency was “working closely with law enforcement to investigate an allegation of neglect regarding supervision of this child in the bathtub.” The statement came in an e-mail Blake sent to employees and child welfare professionals Wednesday evening.

This is the first time the foster parent has been investigated for abuse or neglect, Blake said. The child’s caseworker last visited the home on May 2. According to state policy, foster children must be visited at least once a month by a caseworker.

Newark Police Director Samuel DeMaio said the infant’s death had been deemed accidental, and there were no signs of mistreatment or abuse. The baby was left in roughly one inch of water and investigators were trying to determine whether one of the child’s foster parents turned away while bathing the girl, the director said. The infant’s head apparently just slipped under water.

“From what the investigators said, the apartment was impeccably clean and the child appeared to be well-cared for,” DeMaio said. “It just appeared to be an accidental death.”

Katherine Carter, a spokeswoman for the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, said investigators were awaiting results of an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death. Carter said the department received a 911 call shortly before 10 a.m., and that the infant was pronounced dead at Clara Mass Medical Center in Belleville at 10:23 a.m.

The girl, born June 1, had lived with the foster family since February, one of three children living in the home, Blake said. The other two children were being relocated, she said.

“We are currently in the very preliminary stages of our investigation, and as a result, we will not be releasing any additional information at this time,” Blake said. “However, as is our practice and plan, at such time as we are able, we will provide additional information … On behalf of the entire Department of Children and Families, we extend our sincere condolences to the family of Kaniiyah Ealey.”

Newark baby who died in bathtub was a foster child, state official says

[New Jersey Star-Ledger 5/15/13 by Susan K. Livio and James Queally]

“Instead of planning Kaniiyah Ealey’s 1st birthday party, her mother is making arrangements for the baby’s funeral.

Kaniiyah spent most of her life in foster care with her brothers while their mother Kenyatta worked on her sobriety, trusting the system would keep them safe.

“She’s not even a year old and she killed my baby. She killed my baby,” said Kenyatta Ealey, the victim’s mother.

Sources say the 11-month-old drowned during a bath at her foster mother’s Newark home.

The state’s Department of Children and Families put out this statement saying it “is working closely with law enforcement to investigate an allegation of neglect regarding supervision of this child in the bathtub.”

And, “there are no prior investigations regarding the care of foster children in this home. The child’s caseworker last visited the home on May 2, 2013.”

The Medical Examiner’s office is running an autopsy, and Newark Police officers are investigating, but won’t give much detail about the case.

“I don’t have any comment on that now,” Mayor Cory Booker said.

“It was deemed an accidental death,” the Police Director said.”

11-month old girl dies in foster home in New Jersey

[WABC 5/15/13 by Carolina Leid]

“Police received a 9-1-1 call shortly before 10 am. Kaniiyah was pronounced dead at Clara Maass Medical Center at 10:23 am, Essex County Prosecutor’s Office spokesperson Katherine Carter told Nj.com.

An autopsy is being performed to determine a precise cause of death, Carter also said Wednesday.”

Infant Dies After Being Found in Bathtub at Foster Home

[Newark NJ Patch 5/15/13 by Paul Milo]

“Kenyatta Ealey says the foster family was negligent when her daugther, Kaniiyah, drowned in a bathtub just before 10 a.m. Wednesday.”

Baby drowns in bathtub while in Newark foster home

[News 12 5/15/13]

REFORM Puzzle Pieces

Another foster parent without basic child care knowledge.