How Could You? Hall of Shame-18-month-old daughter case-Child deathUPDATED

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.

This 2020 case came to light.

From Alabama, “An Alabama couple has been convicted of abusing their foster child, who was hospitalized with a skull fracture and a brain bleed three years ago.

April Elizabeth McDowell and John Michael McDowell face 10 years to life in prison when they are sentenced on aggravated child abuse charges, said Russell County District Attorney Rick Chancey.

“We were glad to receive this verdict of guilty of aggravated child abuse, as to each defendant. It is unfortunate that people in our society will do such horrible things to the most vulnerable among us,” Chancey told WRBL shortly after the verdict Thursday in Russell County Circuit Court. “And now the people of Russell County have spoken and said that will absolutely not be tolerated.”

The McDowell’s 18-month-old daughter was going in and out of consciousness and an ambulance was needed, April McDowell told a 911 dispatcher on Aug. 22, 2020, authorities said at the time. The child was taken to Piedmont Medical Center and later transported to Children’s of Alabama.

Deputies went to the hospital and determined that the child had injuries that were not consistent with the guardian’s story of what happened to the child. It was determined that the child had a fractured skull and a brain bleed.

Authorities said the McDowells had been the foster parents of the child since May 2020. Investigators believe they will be able to prove that the child received multiple injuries due to abuse on several different occasions while in the custody of the couple.

Initial medical reports indicate that the child has multiple injuries in different stages of healing that are not consistent with normal injuries to a toddler but are consistent with injuries related to abuse.

The girl is no longer with the McDowells, according to Chancey.

“This child is now with a very loving family, and we appreciate their great support and help in this case,” he told WRBL. “It was very emotional for them [the girl’s new family] as well, and everyone is glad that this can be behind us. Our hopes and prayers are with this child as she grows and puts this chapter of her life behind her.””

Alabama couple convicted of abusing foster child that suffered skull fracture, brain bleed
[Alabama.com 10/6/23 by Howard Koplowitz ]

REFORM Puzzle Piece

Update:“An Alabama couple was sentenced Tuesday to life in prison after being convicted of abusing their foster child, who suffered a skull fracture and brain bleed, a prosecutor says.

Russell County District Attorney Rick Chancey said the life sentences were handed down against April and John McDowell, both 32, of Fort Mitchell, an unincorporated community about 10 miles (16 kilometers) south of Phenix City, al.com reported. The McDowells were convicted in October of aggravated child abuse after a nearly two-week trial.

On Aug. 22, 2022, the McDowells’ then-18-month-old foster daughter required an ambulance after she was “going in and out of consciousness,” April McDowell told a 911 dispatcher. Deputies later determined the child had injuries that were not consistent with the guardian’s story, according to authorities.

Initial medical reports indicated the child had multiple injuries in different stages of healing that were not consistent with normal injuries to a toddler but were consistent with abuse, officials said. The McDowells were taken into custody a short time later and the child was removed from their home.

The McDowells had been foster parents of the toddler since May 2020.

“This child is now with a very loving family, and we appreciate their great support and help in this case,” Chancey told television station WRBL after the October convictions. “Our hopes and prayers are with this child as she grows and puts this chapter of her life behind her.””
Alabama couple gets life for abusing foster child who suffered skull fracture, brain bleed
[WRBL 12/20/23 by AP]