How Could You?Hall of Shame-Alicia Morrow case-Child Death 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 Omaha, Nebraska, 4-year-old Alicia Morrow died on January 3, 2016. Her “guardian, Chelsey Cook, 22, has been booked for criminal homicide.”

“WOWT 6 News spoke with Chelsey’s father, Kevin Cook, who said his daughter was only trying to help; He doesn’t believe his daughter killed Morrow.

“She took the baby in after the mother abandoned the child; for a young 22-year-old I think that’s commendable,” he said.

Police reports indicated that Morrow died Sunday morning, but police discovered the girl at … around 11 p.m. Tuesday. Chelsey Cook was arrested Wednesday morning.

Her father tells WOWT that his daughter had been taking care of Alicia for more than a year in the house, which is owned by her grandparents. A police report from September 2015 shows that Cook and Morrow’s mother, Lakisha Morrow, had fought over custody of the girl. The report alleged that Lakisha had threatened Cook if her daughter was not returned.

The report also indicates that Cook and Lakisha had both signed a notarized letter which stated the Lakisha wanted Cook to care, and later adopt her daughter. According to DHHS officials, Cook has received cash assistance from them. They say the amount she received in December was more than $1,600. According to the September police incident, Cook believed this is why the two had been fighting.

Lakisha spoke with WOWT 6 News in a phone interview. She said she had tried several times to get her daughter back.

“This girl knew that I was trying to get my baby back and I begged her and instead she sent my baby out of town – out of state to hide my baby from me she wouldn’t call me and tell me nothing about my baby she wouldn’t even tell me where she lived – but I had to hear at 3:30 in the morning from a detective that my daughter is dead?” said Lakisha.

Lakisha said she is heartbroken that her daughter won’t have the chance to grow up.

“I’m worried about my baby and getting healing and figuring out what happened to my baby and getting justice for my baby – that’s all that matters – Alicia’s four. She didn’t deserve to die at an age like that she didn’t have an opportunity to grow up experience life, my daughter is a sweet little girl. A very sweet little girl,” she said.

Cook’s father told WOWT that he believes little Alicia had developmental issues and he said there were problems with the heating system in the house where the child’s body was found.

“I think that from my understanding, I think my daughter was a little tired, overwhelmed from what she was saying. She went to sleep and maybe the child was seeking more assistance and didn’t get a chance to respond to the child right away,” he said. “The mindset of my daughter was more of ‘let me nurture’ cause anybody else who’s going to takin in someone else’s child is about nurturing and not about hurting. It’s about nurturing. This is a tragic situation all the way around.”

Omaha Police say Morrow’s death is the first homicide of 2016.”

Child’s Death Ruled a Homicide, Caretaker Arrested [WOWT 1/6/16 by john Chapman]

REFORM Puzzle Piece

Update: “Bond for Chelsey Cook was set at $1 million on Friday. She is accused of child abuse in the death of 4-year-old Alicia Morrow.

“I can’t go in my baby’s case because he laughed in my face. My baby is dead, she is dead.” Alicia’s biological mother, Lakisha Morrow, was pleading with God after being told to leave court. “Justice for my baby, Justice for Alicia, justice for my daughter, justice for my baby, please justice for my baby. Let her soul rest.”

Recently released court documents describe how Cook, the child’s guardian, noticed something wrong with Alicia on Sunday morning, saying the child was cold to the touch and had shallow breathing. Cook told police she wrapped Alicia in a blanket and began to pray, not wanting to call police because she had a warrant for traffic violations.

Later, realizing Alicia was dead, she wrapped the body in plastic, put it in the basement and covered it with boards. Cook told police she put the girl’s body there because she was afraid it would start to smell.

Prosecutors say Cook then went about her day, even going to work. It would be two days before Cook told her family about the death and they called police.

As for conditions in the home at North 31st and Franklin, police say the temperature inside was so frigid their hands began to get cold during the investigation. They also said there was minimal food and no refrigerator.

Cook’s father maintains the child’s death was an accident. “This is an accident and I said that from the beginning and Chelsey just didn’t respond appropriately.” Kevin Cook said his daughter is just trying to cope. “She said they had her in suicide detail at one time, they said she has been downgraded from that.”

Lakisha, who signed over custody to Cook a year ago, was relieved to hear about the $1 million bond. “One million dollar bond, God working on your ass already, $1 million bond.” She also expressed that while very upset and angry, she wishes no harm to Cook or her family. “My family ain’t bringing no violence. You might get cussed out, but my family ain’t bringing no violence.”

The 22-year-old Cook was arrested Wednesday morning. She was initially booked for criminal homicide. That was later changed to a child abuse charge. Another child was in the home, Cook’s biological son who is 2 years old. He has been placed in foster care.

Prosecutors believe more charges will be filed against Cook when final autopsy results are in. On Thursday, Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine said that preliminary autopsy findings in the case were inconclusive.

A public defender has been appointed to represent Cook. A preliminary hearing has been set for February 2nd.”

Million Dollar Bond For Child Abuse Suspect [WOWT 1/8/16 by Erin Murray]