How Could You? Hall of Shame-Kansas Foster home-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 Bel Aire, Kansas, a foster home in under State investigation after a 4-month-old “girl was pronounced dead at the scene at the home a little after 3 a.m. Thursday, Sedgwick County Sheriff Jeff Easter said Tuesday. The baby and her 18-year-old mother were sleeping on a basement couch when the mother apparently rolled onto the girl, he said.
Although the death occurred at a licensed foster home, the infant was not in foster care, the head of the state’s child protection agency said Tuesday.”
An official with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment said the agency is conducting an investigation of the death because it involves a foster home. Once the investigation is completed, the department will determine whether to take any action on the license, said the agency’s spokeswoman, Sara Belfry. The home is licensed for two foster children, Belfry said.
Placements in the home are on hold while officials “review the circumstances surrounding this tragedy,” said Theresa Freed, spokeswoman for the Kansas Department for Children and Families.
As with all child deaths, the case will be presented to prosecutors to determine whether any criminal charges are warranted, Easter said. Still, “as of this point, it appears to be an accident,” he said Tuesday.
A preliminary autopsy found no evidence of traumatic injuries on the girl, he said.
Easter said the mother told investigators that she and the baby were staying with the family who lives at the home because it was closer to the mother’s job and helped her save on gasoline expenses.
In an e-mail earlier Tuesday, Phyllis Gilmore, secretary of the DCF, said, “The Kansas Department for Children and Families has learned of the tragic death of an infant in a licensed foster home. The baby was not a foster child and was not in the direct care of a foster parent. Our hearts go out to those affected by this apparent accidental death.”
Experts on safe sleep practices say infants should be in a safeguarded crib. The state health department notes this safety reminder: “Remember the ABC’s of Safe Sleep. Alone, on the Back and in a Crib.””
Officials: Bel Aire foster home under investigation after baby not in foster care dies
[The Wichita Eagle 9/2/14 by Tim Potter]
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