How Could You? Hall of Shame-Myles Clevenger 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 Lubbock, Texas, foster mother Mary Sifuentes, 46, “has been held at the Lubbock County Detention Center since her Jan. 28 [2022] arrest on a warrant charging her with with aggravated assault involving domestic violence and a deadly weapon.

he offense is a first-degree felony, which carries a similar punishment to murder: five years to life in prison.

She is charged in the Dec. 16, 2020, death of [3 month-old] Myles Clevenger. Her bond was initially set at $250,000. On Monday, 137th District Court Judge John McClendon, reduced her bond to $150,000 about a month after a bond reduction hearing

Sifuentes’ charge stems from an investigation by the Lubbock Metropolitan Special Crimes Unit after police were called to University Medical Center Clevenger where Clevenger was taken by ambulance after he stopped breathing.

Investigators spoke with doctors who said the boy suffered a cervical spine injury and brain trauma that caused his brain to swell.

An MRI revealed further injuries including multiple brain hemorrhages, fractures in the boy’s ribs and clavicle, according to an arrest warrant.

The boy also suffered metaphyseal fractures in both of the boy’s kneecaps, ankle and wrist.

“All fractures were described as acute,” the warrant states, noting that “Metaphyseal fractures are almost exclusively related to abuse.””

Judge rules on bond reduction for Lubbock woman accused in infant’s death

[Lubbock Avalanche Journal 3/15/22 by Gabriel Monte]

“The trial for a woman accused of killing a three-month-old foster child in December of 2020 ended in a mistrial on Friday evening.

Mary Sifuentes was accused of aggravated assault. She was caring for the child after the state took him away from his mother.

During opening statements, a CPS worker said Sifuentes had a strained relationship with the child and was hesitant to take him in as she was already caring for his brother. The social worker also told the court the child’s biological mother was concerned about Sifuentes having contact with the kids, saying they would often act strangely after spending time with her.

The witness the jury Sifuentes claimed she had tripped and hit the baby’s neck the night he got hurt, but said doctors told her it might not have been an accident.

Prosecutors claimed Sifuentes violently shook the baby and struck him on at least two other occasions, eventually leading to his death.

During Wednesday’s testimony, the jury saw police bodycam footage of Sifuentes discussing the baby’s injuries. She told the officer she slipped, while holding him, causing the baby to hit his head on a bouncer.

Sifuentes later told a doctor she panicked and shook the infant because he was not breathing. The doctor later told the officer the baby’s injuries were more consistent with smothering than shaking.”

Mistrial for woman accused in 3-month-old foster child’s death

[KCBD 6/27/24 by Chelsea Collinsworth]

REFORM Puzzle Piece