How Could You? Hall of Shame-Juwan “Chico” Tavarez 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 Harlem, New York,foster child, Juwan “Chico” Tavarez,16, “has died after getting shot in the head outside of a public housing building.”

“Police said Juwan “Chico” Tavarez died from his injuries after suffering a gunshot wound to the head outside of the Jefferson Houses in East Harlem on March 25, according to PIX11.

After the shooting, which a witness said was random, Juwan was taken to Harlem Hospital in critical condition, the New York Daily News reports. He was pronounced dead on the night of March 27.

“He’s a young kid,” Juwan’s sister, who was not identified by name, told the New York Daily News. “This is too much.”

Francia Tavarez, Juwan’s foster mother since he was 1 year old, said Juwan was a good student and avoided gang activity.

“He comes from love, not hate,” Francia  said. “I am still in shock … I can’t get over it. I can’t get over it.”

As of March 28, there have been no arrests in the case and the investigation is ongoing. Residents reportedly told PIX11 that they are pretty sure they know who shot and killed Juwan but would not elaborate.”

Harlem Teen Dies After Being Shot in the head [Opposing Views 3/28/16 by Brendan Kelly]

“The anguished parents of a 16-year-old shooting victim hoped against hope, hour by hour, that he would recover.

But Juwan (Chico) Tavarez died Sunday night in Harlem Hospital, two days after he was shot in the head in East Harlem.

The teen was shot outside the Jefferson Houses on Third Ave. between E. 114th and 115th Sts. Friday night, police said. He remained on life support in a “sedated coma” as loved ones gathered around him at the hospital, family members said Sunday.

“We don’t want to pull the plug,’” his devastated father, Marco Wan, said in what turned out to be his son’s waning hours. “My daughter’s up there and she said, ‘He squeezed my hand.’”

Juwan’s killer was still on the loose early Monday. Over the weekend, a witness who said he was with Juwan when the gun blasts erupted Friday had called the shooting random.

“We were at the wrong place at the wrong time,” he said.

Benjamin Sierra — who lives in the same housing complex as Juwan, the Wagner Houses — returned to the still-bloody scene Sunday morning.

“He’s only 16 years old. He’s a good kid,” said Sierra, 17.

“Somebody knows who did it,” Wan said. “The person who did this, they will be found.”

Francia Tavarez, the teen’s foster mother since he was 1 , described him as a studious boy who avoided gang activity. “He comes from love, not from hate,” she said at the hospital. “I am still in shock. … I can’t get over it. I can’t get over it.”

Juwan’s sister, who didn’t give her name, added, “He’s a young kid. This is too much.””

Family, friends of 16-year-old shot in head in East Harlem mourn ‘good kid’ who died [NY Daily News 3/28/16  by  ELLEN MOYNIHAN, CHRIS SOMMERFELDT, RYAN SIT, JOHN ANNESE]

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