REFORM Talk’s Forgotten Angels 2023

In 2023, we honor US adopted children that are missing; missing and presumed dead; and/or related to the out-of-original family placements and surrogacy industry that are otherwise forgotten since December 2023 and years earlier that we have discovered.

This post includes all child deaths and children missing from US foster care or adoptions and adult adoptee or foster care deaths as well as those otherwise forgotten that we could find.

Still Missing

The 400 children presumably disrupted from Russia. See here.

Still Missing and Presumed Dead

Kaya Centeno. See here. From Rohnert Park, California, this 2010 case of adoptee Kaya, 8, “went missing” 10 years ago. Her adoptive parents were arrested for abuse and sexual abuse of her siblings.In 2011, it was brought to light that two adoptees from the same family were missing: Austin and Edward Dylan Bryant. See the case  here.

A child nicknamed Moo, foster child of Judith Leekin . See the case here.

Rilya Wilson, 4, went missing in December 2000. In 2011, her foster mother was ordered to trial. It was delayed until end of 2012. Geralyn Graham was sentenced to 55 years in 2013 though they haven’t found Rilya’s body. See  here.

Jhessye Shockley. See here. Jhessye’s mother, Jerice Hunter, had been convicted of child abuse and served 4 years in a California prison. After being released in 2010,  Arizona CPS allowed Jerice to take custody of Jhessye from Shirley. On a day in October 2011 when Shirley Johnson was in Maricopa County Superior Court for a custody hearing, Jerice reported Jhessye  as missing. Jhessye’s body has never been found.The case is NOT closed. See this article from October 2021 here.

Hasanni Campbell. See here. From Fremont, California, disabled foster child Hasanni Campbell, who was five when he disappeared on  August 10, 2009. His foster mother was his aunt.His foster father, Louis Ross, told police he parked in a Rockridge neighborhood, taking his daughter into a shoe store while leaving Hasanni, who wore leg braces due to cerebral palsy, inside the car. When he returned, Hasanni was gone.

Missing

Alissa Turney. See here. From Phoenix, Arizona, this 2001 case involves Alissa, 17, who disappeared the day she finished her junior year at Paradise Valley High School.He Adoptive father was tried but released.

Medically-Related

Jakob Blodgett. This December 2022 case involved Jakob, 9, who died  with complications of diabetes.

Miguel Ramos. This May 22, 2023 case involves autistic Miguel,9, who died from falling from a 4 story window in the Bronx.

Tori Bowie. This April 23,2023 case involves Olympian Tori,32, who died from preeclampsia.

Davion Flanagan. This July 31, 2022 case involves Davion, 19, who died in a car crash.

Adult Foster Child Deaths

Emandalee Whitcomb.See here.From Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, this case involves Emandalee, 29, who died from “fatal traumatic injuries to her head and neck on July 30, 2023.”The person has not been caught.

Adult Adoptee Deaths

Kathy Ann Smith. See here. From Bastrop County, Texas, this 1979 case involves Kathy Lee Smith,22, who was located deceased on Highway 290. The body remained unidentified until DNA evidence and genetic genealogy to match her to a family tree.

Child Deaths-Adoption

Skyler Wilson. See here. From Mt. Airy, North Carolina, this January 9, 2023 case involves Skyler, 4, who died from “had a hypoxic brain injury, which happens with a restriction that prevents oxygen to the brain. ” due to”‘pouching,’ swaddling, food restriction, the gating of Skyler in a room for excessive ‘alone’ time, and the exorcisms .”

5-Year-old Girl. See here.From Weston, Wisconsin, the girl, 5, who died from ” a significant skull fracture that wrapped around both sides of the skull. These were injuries that appeared consistent with non-accidental trauma.” Are mother, Sumatra, is charged withFirst-Degree Reckless Homicide, Neglecting a Child (PTAC), Chronic Neglect of a Child (PTAC), and two counts of Resisting or Obstructing an Officer.

Michael and Olivia Rivera. See here. From Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Michael Rivera died died in November 2017 after waking from a nap, “pale, staring off and moaning. Town months later,Olivia was reported dead after the parents found her unresponsive in her crib.

The medical examiner’s investigation labeled both toddlers’ deaths as homicides from blunt force trauma. Their autopsies detailed similar injuries from contusions and abrasions on the legs and face to severed backbones to healing fractures.

Father Anthony Rivera was charged in 2017 for the homicide deaths of the children.A Fort Bragg soldier and adopted father Anthony Rivera was scheduled to go to trial in February 2023 after he was issued a court martial in 2021 for the homicide of his two- and three-year-old children. Court records show Rivera pleaded not guilty in January 2023.On March 1, 2023, charges against Rivera were withdrawn, according to military court records. Bragg officials told the I-Team that the military judge disqualified the prosecutors working on the case due to a potential conflict of interest.

The case is not closed, instead, a higher command will take it on. No new trial date or timeline has been set.”

Landon Maloberti. See here. From Delmont, Pennsylvania,this case involves Landon, 5, who was taken ” to AHN Hempfield Neighborhood Hospital after becoming unconscious on January 30.

The district attorney states that Landon was then transported to Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh before being pronounced dead on February 7.” He suffered “bruises over most of his body and massive brain bleeding and was the victim of torture at the hands of his adoptive mother and her husband.”

“Jacob Maloberti, 33, was charged along with his wife, Lauren, in July with criminal homicide, reckless endangerment, aggravated assault, conspiracy and other related offenses related to allegations their son was tortured and beaten to death earlier this year.”

Keyiro Fuentes. See here/a>. From Lahaina, Maui, this August 8, 2023 case involves Keyiro who died in the Lahaina fire.

Child Deaths-Group-Respite Home/RTC/Hospital/Juvenile Justice Facility/CPS office/Guardian/Therapeutic Boarding School

Sitlalli Avelar. See here. From Mesa, Arizona, this January 7, 2023 case involves, Sitlalli,17, who escaped from a group home and was found drown in a basin.

Kamryn Meyers. See here. From Mesa, Arizona, this January 7, 2023 case involves Kamryn,15, who escaped from a group home and was found drown in a basin.

Taylor Goodridge. See here. From Hurricane,Utah, this December 20, 2022 case involves Taylor,17, who died from peritonitis, a treatable abdominal infection.They are being sued for “a wrongful death action arising from medical malpractice.”

Yaeli Goldamez. See here. From California, this September 2019 case involves Yale who died by suicide by kneeling down in front of a train due to “CPS removed her from her home because her parents didn’t affirm her transgender identity.”

Teen Boy. See here. From Heber City, Utah, this July 18, 2023 case involves a teenage boy who leapt to his death from third floor of a Daniels Academy Building.

Alegend Jones. See here. From Memphis, Tennessee, this November 17, 2023 case involves Alegend,17, who died from being “brutally assaulted, battered, and choked.”

Child Deaths-US Foster Care and Receiving Homes

Li’aziah Thomas. See here. From Chester, Pennsylvania, this January 20, 2021 case involves Li’aziah, 18 months, who died from blunt force trauma.

Anthony Cline. See here. From Macy, Nebraska, this November 13, 2022 case involves Anthony,1, who died after his first birthday. He was Native American.The police are doing a “Death Investigation.”

Aaliyah Benka. See here. From Chicago, Illinois, this 2020 car involved Aaliyah,3, who had heart transplant at age 1,who died after rejecting her new heart. A Medical Examiner report says the doctor suspected [Karen]Castleberry neglected to give Aaliyah her anti-rejection medication.The DCFS Inspector General’s investigation found, “levels were nearly undetectable”. And found Castleberry responsible for “failing to administer the child’s medication to her.” DCFS indicated her for “Death By Neglect” and “Medical Neglect.”No charges has been filed.

1-year-old Foster Child. See here.From Pullyup, Washington,this May 24, 2023 case involves a 1 year old foster child who was left in a 100 degree car for 9 hours and died. No charges has been filed against the foster mother.

Aldina Sulejmani. See here.From Fergus Falls, Minnesota, this January 16, 2023 case involves Aldina, 3 months old, who died after not being placed in a safe sleeping position in their crib. No charges were filed.

Chance Witherington, See here. From Auburndale, Florida, this October 2021 case involves Chance,2 months old, who died from a brain bleed on {Chance’s} front, right side” and “a small brain bleed on the back left side.”The cause of death was said to be suffocation and the manner of death was said to be an accident.Chance’s Biological mother will be suing in civil lawsuit.

Panache Petry. See here.From Hacker Heights, Texas, this November 202 case involves Panache Petry, 2, who died November 2022 of “COVID-19 and another respiratory infection”, according to the autopsy. He stayed at the Garden of Hope foster care center.Garden of Hope is one of the state agency’s general residential operations and is frequently evaluated for compliance, HHS said. It is currently open and not on any enforcement action.”

Legend and Sincere Robinson-Strong. See here. From Roseville, California, this October 9, 2023 case involves twins Legend and Sincere,2, who drown in a Roseville pool.CPS says that the foster parent failed to provide adequate supervision to the twins.

REFORM Puzzle Piece