REFORM Talk’s Forgotten Angels 2024

In 2024, 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 31, 2024 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.

Medically-Related

Sekou Sheriff Buller. From Liberia, this August 7, 2024 case involves Liberian adoptee Sekou,12, who died due to a stroke from Cerebral Malaria.

Michaela Mabinty DePrince. From New York City, New York,this September 10, 2024 case involves Sierre Leone Adoptee Michaela , 29, who died. As of September 16, 2024, her cause of death has not been determined.

Adult Adoptee Deaths

London Deven. See here. From Fayetteville, North Carolina, this 2019 case involves London,27, who died due to her adoptive mother, Avantae Deven, who starved and abused her to death. Avantae was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of concealment of death, one count of kidnapping related to London Deven’s death, and two counts of felony child abuse related to Blake Deven’s [her brother’s]death.

DJ McCollum. See here. From Cincinnati, Ohio, this October 24, 2024 case involves DJ who died after being stabbed by 66-year-old Anthony Mathis with self-inflicted knife wounds. He later died.

Child Deaths-International Adoption

Bryan Boyer. See here. From Davenport, Florida, this May 1, 2025 case involves Haitian adoptee Bryan, 4, who died due to an injury where his liver suffered a tear, and the medical examiner said it could be nothing else other than an immediate hard strike to the abdomen and as the autopsy went on, they found different layers of bruises and injuries from past beatings, because the adoptive mother, Patricia Saintizaire, beat him to death. Saintizaire has been charged with murder and aggravated child abuse.

Biruk Silvers.From Mapleton, Utah, this November 5, 2024 case involves Ethiopian Adoptee Biruk,17, who committed suicide after having been placed in the residential treatment center, Discovery Ranch..

Child Deaths-Adoption

Jane Olrun. See here . From Bethel, Alaska, this March 12, 2021 case involves Jane, 2, who was found lifeless on a towel. Jane was severely malnourished and had 40 injuries on her body. Her adoptive mother, Stephanie pled guilty to second degree murder. She will serve 60 years in prison.

Kendall Marquese Smith. See here . From Winston-Salem, North Carolina, this June 6, 2021 case involves Kendall,5, who was found unresponsive in his home. EMS identified signs of trauma and injury. Adoptive mother Kimberly Monique Smith plead guilty to second degree murder and was sentenced to 22 and a half years to 28 years in prison.

Dovia Pernell. See here. From Louisville, Kentucky, adoptee Dovia Pernell,15, was shot to death about 10:45 a.m. No suspects have been arrested.

Cyrus Blakley. See here. From Roseville, California, this February 2, case involves Cyrus, 9, who was killed by his adoptive parents, Kimberly and Cory Albert Blakley. They were arrested and pled not guilty to Murder and torture charges.

8-year-old girl. See here. From Town of Fulton, Wisconsin, this March 17, 2024 case involves an 8-year-old girl who died from multiple stab wounds from a tactical knife. Her brother Dayveon Lathrop,20, was charged and will got to trial on July 28, 2025.

Jeremiah Moore. See here. From Springfield Township, Ohio, this February 6, 2024 case involves Jeremiah, 16, who was found to have no food stomach or intestine, leading investigators to believe the child had not eaten in some time. His adopted mother, Tamara, was arrested and was indicted for murder and child endangerment.

Brogan Duhon. See here . From Lake Arthur, Louisiana, this October 2022 case involves Brogan, 12, who died of malnutrition. His adoptive parents, Adam and Jennifer Duhon, were charged with second-degree murder. Brogan was 28 pounds when he died.

Diana Sofia De Los Santos. See here. From San Diego, California, this June 13, 2024 case involves Diana, 2 months old, who died due to being left unattended for hours “in a hot car”. No charges were filed against the adoptive parents, Romer and Jayson De Los Santos.

Blake Deven. See here. From Fayetteville, North Carolina, this 2022 case involves Blake,17, who died due to his adoptive mother, Avantae Deven, who starved and abused him to death. Avantae was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of concealment of death, one count of kidnapping related to London Deven’s[his sister’s] death, and two counts of felony child abuse related to Blake Deven’s death.

James Zoccoli. See here. From Mesa, Arizona, this June 9, 2024 case involves James, 16, who went missing on June 1 after leaving his home and was found unconscious.

Kennedy Jean Schroer. See here. From Rose Hill, Kansas, this November 2020 case involves Kennedy, 6, who was found dead in the backyard of her adopted family’s home. The Sedgwick County Forensic Science Center, which made the ID, was unable to determine a cause of death due to the decomposition of the body. Police said the forensic preliminary report noted no visible injuries. The Rose Hill School District confirmed Kennedy’s kindergarten enrollment in 2020, but revealed that her adoptive parents withdrew her to explore homeschooling. The investigation is still ongoing.

Kaydence McCullom. See here. From Cincinnati, Ohio, this October 24, 2024 case involves Kaydence who died after being stabbed by 66-year-old Anthony Mathis with self-inflicted knife wounds. He later died.

10-Year-Old. See here. This November 21, 2024 case involves a 10-year-old boy who died after revealed signs of possible neglect and abuse. His adoptive parents Alejandra Marin ,51, and Juan Sanchez Moreno,59, “were arrested and charged with murder, torture and child abuse.

Chester A. Breiney(Markku Jutila), See here. From Mequon, Wisconsin, this 65 year old cold case has identified the remains belong to Chester A. Breiney,7, whose life ended traumatically at the hands of his adoptive parents.”The discovery follows extensive investigative efforts involving DNA analysis and family history research.

13-Year-old Girl. See here. This November 14, 2024 case involves a 13-year-old girl who died. She was nude except for a diaper, had clearly been severely abused. She was extremely emaciated and obviously malnourished. Her body was covered in wounds in all stages of healing, including open lacerations that were clearly recently suffered. Former DCF employee and adoptive mother, Diana Natasha Mack, is accused of murder.

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

Geanna Bradley. See here. From Honolulu, Hawaii, From Honolulu, Hawaii, this January 18, 2024 case involves legal guardians Brandy Blas, 35 and her husband Thomas Blas, 40 were charged with first-degree endangering the welfare of a minor, second-degree murder, kidnapping and unlawful imprisonment in connection to the death of Geanna, 10, was found dead from what police described as “prolonged abuse.”

Darnell Taylor. See here. From Columbus, Ohio, this February 14, 2024 case involves Darnell,5, who died and was found in a sewage drain. Police arrested guardian Pammy Maye, 48, and charged her with kidnapping and child endangerment charges.

17-Year-Old. See here. From Oregon, this August 3,2024 case involves a 17-year-old who died by suicide in the hotel that he was temporarily staying at with child welfare workers. No one was arrested..

Child Deaths-US Foster Care and Receiving Homes

11-month-old child. See here . From Gauitier, Mississippi, this January, 27, 2024 case involves an 11-month-old child who drown in a bathtub. Foster parents Tonya and Deborrah  Winter “were arrested and charged after the death of a child”.

Alejandro Andreas Perez Jr. See here From Oildale, California, This February 9, 2024 case involves Alejandro, 3, who died with signs of blunt force trauma. 32-year-old Margaret Eichhorst was arrested for the child’s death. Eichhorst pleaded not guilty to first-degree manslaughter and felony child endangerment. A lawsuit has now been filed.

Zarah Zambrano. See here. From California City, California, this September 1, 2023 case involves Zarah, 2 months old, died due to neglectful or improper care. The foster parents have not been arrested. A lawsuit now has been filed.

17-year-old Foster Boy. See here. From Victorville, California, this April 2024 case involves a 17-year-old boy who had been involuntarily committed using a 5150 hold three days before the deadly encounter after he cut his wrists. hile being transported from a local hospital to a mental care facility, the teen “absconded” from medical care and showed up at the home of his two sisters, who are also in the foster care system. After half an hour of trying to deescalate the situation, they used pepper spray and attempted to physically take the boy into custody, with deputies yelling at the boy to “let go of the knife.” One deputy was sliced on the hand in the process.

During the fracas, one deputy opened fire, according to Dicas and confirmed by body camera video. The teen was struck and pronounced dead at a local hospital, the SBSD said in a press release.

Infant Boy. See here. From Sacramento, California, this June 17 case involves an infant boy was suffering medical issues that included vomiting and gasping for air after feeding and died. He was found to be either placed him improperly in his sleeping area or failed to observe him roll over.

Dakota Stevens. See here. From Porter County, Indiana, this April 25, 2024 case involves Dakota, 10, who died after his foster mother lied on top of him and crushed him to death. The foster mother, Jennifer Wilson weighed 340 pounds and Dakota weighed 91 pounds. She was charged with reckless homicide.

Myles Clevenger. See here. From Lubbock, Texas, this December 26, 2020 case involves Myles,3 months old, who died after suffering 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.””His foster mother, Mary Sifuentes,46 was arrested and charged with aggravated assault involving domestic violence and a deadly weapon. Her trial in June 2024 ended I a mistrial.

Barrett Koches. See here. From Springfield, Illinois, this March 16, 2024 case involves Barrett,7, who drowned in a swimming pool of his foster parent David Yankee, who was found negligent of his death.

Dionicio Perez. See here. From Omaha, Nebraska, this July 10,2024 case involves Dionico, 5, who died after being left unattended in the car for approximately 7 hours while foster mother Juanita Pinon was working.Juanita was arrested and charged with child abuse by neglect resulting in death.

Michael Aikman. See here . From Wichita, Kansas, this June 15, 2024 case involves Michael,3, who went missing was was found dead in a Kansas waterway near the home where he lived.

3-Year-Old. See here. From Parkersburg, West Virginia, this June 10, 2024 case involves a 3-year-old who went missing and found dead in Wood County.

Antonio Ware Suarez. See here. From Monticello, New York, this July 16, 2025 case involves Antonio,2, who was left inside a hot car for more than an hour and died.

Zeke. From here . From Horton, Alabama, this November 22, 2023 case involves Zeke ,18 months old, died after being emaciated and severe malnutrition. Foster parents Brooklyn and Mason Grimes are charged with capital murder of a child under 14, intentional murder, felony murder, and aggravated child abuse.

Jozi Woodall. From here . From St. Robert, Missouri, this August 14, 2024 case involves Jozi, 2, who died after having severe hemorrhagic retina changes, disc and retina edema in both eyes. Findings are consistent with non-accidental trauma. Her foster mother, Alyssa Sierra Jackson, was charged with first-degree endangering the welfare of a child resulting in death and two counts of child abuse. She is held on a $1 miilion bond.

Nova Bryant. See here. From Brazil, Indiana, this June 16, 2024 case involves Nova, 4, who drowned alone in a bathtub. Foster mother, Hailynn Volpatti , was arrested and charged with Neglect of a Dependent Resulting in Death. Her next hearing is 01/13/2025.

2 year-old. See here. From Eureka, California, this November 23, 2021 case involves a 2 -year-old who died from assault. The foster mother, Ashley Pearce-Piffrerini, is facing two grave charges: murder and assault on a child causing death.

AJ Iverson. See here. This 2017 case involves AJ who died due to a drug overdose. He had autism.

Messiah Diaz. See here . This November 19, 2024 case involves Messiah who was gunned down with his mother in a drive-by shooting. They are still looking for Lance “Macho” Morales, 23, who shot them.

6-Year-Old. See here. From Lakeview, Texas, this November 2, 2024 case involves a 6-year-old girl who died after having been drowned by her foster mother. Her foster mother , Chelsye Reagan Witcher , charges of Injury to a Child and Tampering with or Fabricating Physical Evidence.

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